PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Cat Lai
Pilot
updated Feb 2021Compulsory. Pilot boards off Vung Tau in position 10°20.4'N 107°03.2'E. Distance from Vung Tau pilot station is 43nm.
Key data
updated Feb 2025Size limits
LOA 225.16m, beam 37.6m, draught 11m, 44,233DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.
Tides
Average tidal range 2.7m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Cang - Cat Lai Terminal | 11.00 m | 225 m | 7 |
| AP Saigon Petro Terminal | 10.50 m | 185 m | 2 |
| Cat Lai Ferry Terminal | — | — | 4 |
| Cat Lai Giang Nam Terminal | — | 97 m | 3 |
| INSEE Cat Lai Cement Terminal | — | — | 1 |
| Saigon Anchorage Area | — | 222 m | 3 |
| Cat Lai General Terminal | — | 91 m | 5 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Dec 2020Approach
Dong Nai River access channel has a length of 43nm from the sea, minimum depth 8.5m, average draught permitted 10.5m.
Anchorages
Anchorage available for Tan Cang in 10°20.4'N 107°03.2'E to 10°21.9'N 107°02.2'E at Vung Tau.
Restrictions
No night navigation (1800-0600hrs) for vessels of LOA 205m and over. Max airdraught 54m.
Tugs
Seven tugs available at Tan Cang - Cat Lai Terminal.
Charts and publications
BA 1036, 8258. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(6).
Inspections
Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Vietnam Maritime Administration.
Position: Director of Marine Safety Department.
Address: 8 Pham Hung Road, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tel: +84 4 768 3194.
Fax: +84 4 768 3058.
Mob: +84 90 329 5340.
Email: [email protected]
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
About Cat Lai
updated Feb 2025Where it is
Cat Lai (Saigon New Port) is located 16km E of Saigon on the main Dong Nai River.
The port
Cat Lai is the biggest and most modern container terminal in Vietnam. Tan Cang Terminal functions as the import/export terminal, domestic port, and serves as the empty container depot (container handling / storage / M&R). The port operations at Tan Cang (10°47.518'N 106°43.510'E) have since been relocated to Cat Lai (10°45.588'N 106°47.798'E).
Traffic
Approx 80,000,000t of cargo, 5,000,000TEU and 4,000 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Cat Lai
What are the pilot arrangements at Cat Lai?
Compulsory. Pilot boards off Vung Tau in position 10°20.4'N 107°03.2'E.
What time zone is Cat Lai in?
Local time at Cat Lai is UTC+7. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Cat Lai?
The deepest berth listed is at Tan Cang - Cat Lai Terminal: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Cat Lai?
1025.
Which load line zone is Cat Lai in?
China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.
Who carries out Port State Control at Cat Lai?
Port State Control at Cat Lai: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Cat Lai?
The UN/LOCODE of Cat Lai is VNCLI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Cat Lai say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.