Tan Cang - Cat Lai Port in HCM City has increased service charges for packing, loading and unloading of refrigerated containers with effect from May 1.

The tariffs for packaging frozen preserved goods will go up from VND970,000-1.4 million ($US42-60) per container to VND1.3-1.8 million ($56-78) depending on type.

For frozen seafood products wrapped in plastic film, it will go up from VND1.7-2.4 million ($74-104) to VND2.3-3.3 million ($100-143).

The Tan Cang Sai Gon (Sai Gon New Port) Corporation, the operator of the port, said the hikes are meant to correspond with the general price levels in the region and help improve service quality.

There is also upward pressure due to global factors, it said.

The shipment of refrigerated containers through Tan Cang - Cat Lai has increased significantly, and so it has upgraded infrastructure and equipment, it said.

Seafood and fruit exporters need refrigerated containers for shipping their goods long distances to places like the US and Canada.

Since last year, they have also been facing a shortage of empty refrigerated containers in Viet Nam because a huge number has been stuck in the US due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is estimated that the cost of sea freight under long-term contracts has increased by nearly 97 per cent from a year ago. — VNS