Cai Mep-Thi Vai upgraded to international transshipment port

Cai Mep-Thi Vai port is one of 23 ports that can receive ships of up to 250,000 tons and one of the 50 seaports with the highest container handling capacity in the world. This makes it capable of becoming an international transshipment port, attracting large shipping lines, and competing with other deep-water ports.

Pham Anh Tuan, General Director of the Portcoast Consultant Corporation said breakthrough mechanisms and policies are needed. He said it’s important to strengthen the infrastructure to connect seaports, develop a centralized inspection center, and plan inland waterway routes in coordination with international routes.

"Making Cai Mep-Thi Vai port an international transshipment center will be very good for the whole region. Although there are a lot of difficulties, we need to do it. We can’t do it overnight or in 2 years. It might take 5 to 10 years, but we have to do it for national interest,' said Tuan.

Dredging is the main work needed to enable international transshipment activities at Cai Mep-Thi Vai port.

Tran Thuong Chi, Director of the Department of Transport of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, said: “Dredging is needed to create a navigational channel of 15.5 meters deep, making it easy for ships to enter and exit the port safely. The port development port will contribute to the socio-economic development of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.”

Cai Mep-Thi Vai port currently handles more than 16% of the total volume of cargo moving through seaports nationwide and 50% of container cargo in the southern region. Once the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port modernization project is completed, it will become a key link in the global network of the world's leading shipping lines and an international transshipment port.