My name is Nguyen Tran Thu Trang, a 21-year-old international student pursuing a Logistics degree at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences. This summer, I had the opportunity to complete my internship at the Maritime Logistics Research Center, where I explored how these global trends manifest at the regional level.
For my project, I compared maritime logistics in two very different places: the ports of Rauma and Pori in Finland’s Satakunta region and Hai Phong Port in northern Vietnam. While separated by thousands of kilometres, these ports face surprisingly similar questions: How can they handle growing trade efficiently? How should they modernize? And how can they meet sustainability targets without slowing down?
My Writing Process
For this report, I worked entirely with secondary data, drawing on official reports, academic publications, company reports, and reliable news sources. To ensure the findings were up to date, I primarily focused on materials published within the last five years, with most data sourced from platforms such as ScienceDirect, government and institutional websites, and port authorities.
One of the biggest challenges was data consistency, especially for Hai Phong. Since the port is actually a network of multiple terminals, comparing it directly with Rauma and Pori wasn’t straightforward. Therefore, I narrowed the scope to the state-managed Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company. I structured the study around four main themes:
- Infrastructure & Cargo Handling
- Digitalization & Technology
- Sustainability Goals
- Operation and Governance Models
Collecting information about Rauma and Pori also had its difficulties. Some details, especially on sustainability targets and infrastructure, were either outdated or unavailable. On my supervisor’s advice, I used the new EU regulation 2023/1804 as a reference point to interpret their future sustainability goals.
What I Found in the Comparison
Looking at Rauma, Pori, and Hai Phong side by side, I realized how much a port’s identity depends on its role in the economy. Rauma focuses on container traffic and forest industry products, while Pori handles bulk cargo and heavy project shipments. Hai Phong, by contrast, moves far greater volumes overall, from containers to bulk cargo, reflecting Vietnam’s fast-growing trade.
Technology is another area where the differences are clear. Rauma has already introduced Sea Traffic Management to help ships arrive on time and reduce emissions, while Hai Phong impressed me with its Smart Gate system, which makes truck entry faster and more efficient.
Sustainability is where Finnish ports take the lead. Rauma already offers shore-side electricity, while Pori is planning a CO₂ terminal and exploring offshore wind energy. Hai Phong doesn’t yet have major “green” programs, but by improving efficiency through digital solutions, it is already taking steps toward lower emissions.
Overall, Finnish ports are further ahead in sustainability, while Hai Phong is strong in adaptability and customer-friendly digitalization. Both sides have valuable lessons they can learn from each other.
Preparing for my thesis
On a personal level, I strengthened my ability to analyze complex information and present it in a clear and structured manner. Working with various types of sources and comparing two distinctly different regions enabled me to practice critical thinking, information synthesis, and decision-making. For instance, the process of mutual learning not only helped me absorb information but also trained me to process it in a way that leads to meaningful and effective conclusions.
This project also provided a valuable opportunity to prepare for my upcoming thesis, as the structure and research approach were quite similar. It gave me confidence in building a framework, narrowing the scope, and applying analytical methods, skills that I will carry forward into my thesis work.
Text: Nguyen Tran Thu Trang
Photo: Nguyen Tran Thu Trang













