The World Bank (World Bank) and S&P Global Market Intelligence have just released the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), Vietnam’s Cai Mep port ranked 12th out of 348 seaports in the world. Notably among them, Vietnam’s Cai Mep port holds the 12th position, higher than some major seaports such as Singapore (18th position), Yokohama – Japan (15th position), Busan – South Korea (22nd).
Why are the ports in Cai Mep region enjoying this spectacular development?
Pioneer in welcoming super-large container ships
Talking about the success of Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster, it is impossible not to mention the fact that a series of super-large container ships arrived safely at Cai Mep International Container Port (CMIT).
- In 2012, the 157,000-tonne/13,800-TEU Laperouse, one of the largest container ships in the world at the time, docked at CMIT.
- By October 10, super-large container ships with a capacity of 2015,160 tons / a capacity of 000,14 TEUs were officially admitted weekly to CMIT to import and export goods of Vietnam and Europe.
- On February 20, 2, one of the world’s largest container ships in 2017, the Margretthe Maersk with a capacity of 2017,194 tons / a capacity of 000,18TEU, was also successfully tested into CMIT and subsequently officially licensed to receive ships of this size weekly.
- On October 25, the super container ship Margrethe Maersk – one of the largest container ships in the world today with a tonnage of 10,214 DWT, carrying capacity of more than 121,18 TEUs, nearly 300 m long and 400 m wide, successfully docked at CMIT Port. With this event, CMIT becomes one of 59 major ports in the world capable of receiving ships of this size, contributing to affirming the position of the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port system on the world maritime map.
Currently, CMIT receives 4 mother trains per week, directly to both sides of the US operated by the world’s largest shipping line alliances such as 2M alliance (Maersk, MSC and Zim), Cosco / OOCL shipping line. Ships arriving at the port have a gradual increase in tonnage to 214,000 DWT. The throughput of the mother ship is reaching the port’s designed capacity
CMIT is the first port in the port cluster to deploy an automatic customs management and supervision connection system for goods; executing e-invoices, e-delivery orders, non-cash payments, participating in the TradeLens supply chain platform using blockchain technology, deploying an online cargo portal reporting electronic train operations….
According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ky, General Director of CMIT, the Cai Mep deep-water port area has the potential to become a transit hub area of the region and the world. The deployment of super-large ship generations is an inevitable trend of shipping lines. Therefore, the policy of the Ministry of Transport on welcoming super-large ships into the Cai Mep area as cargo is a completely reasonable policy.
Talking about the achievements of Cai Mep port cluster in general, including CMIT in the top 12 most efficient container ports in the world, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ky, General Director of CMIT shared: “This is the result of the continuous efforts of the whole Cai Mep maritime community, the close guidance of the Ministry of Transport, Vung Tau Port Authority, the smooth coordination of all stakeholders such as customs, border guard, navigation, maritime assurance, towing, shipping lines and port enterprises in Cai Mep port area… ”.
Currently, over 60% of global trade is transported by containers passing through seaports. Therefore, this is not only significant for importers and exporters, shipping lines, logistics service providers, but also for government policy makers and infrastructure investors.
The rating of container ports makes sense when shipping is the backbone of globalized trade and manufacturing supply chains.
Testing of large trains continues
Saigon Port International Container Service Joint Venture Company Limited – SSA (SSIT) is one of the deep-water ports in Cai Mep – Thi Vai area. This joint venture was established in 2006 between Vietnam Maritime Corporation, Saigon Port Joint Stock Company and SSA Marine Company of the United States. Located in the downstream area of Cai Mep area with an area of 60ha and 600m wharf, SSIT port was built to operate large container ships and equipped with modern mining equipment including the largest shore cranes in Vietnam. On the other hand, SSIT port also has 435m berths dedicated to barges connecting exports and imports from ICDs (inland customs clearance points), ports in Ho Chi Minh City areas. HCMC, Dong Nai and Binh Duong with Cai Mep port area.
SSIT Port is the leading port operator selected by major international shipping lines in the world and a leading company in the port operation industry in the South. At the same time, SSIT provides world-class services to customers, taking advantage of technology to optimize operation efficiency, meeting the service needs of modern vessels.
Currently, MSC has plans to bring large ships into SSIT port as cargo, replacing some medium-sized ships on the existing Sentosa service route. Notably, among the large number of vessels expected to be included on this line, there is the MSC Jade with a design tonnage of 200,148 DWT which is not much larger than the approved tonnage. Therefore, SSIT Port has requested the Ministry of GT-VT to consider and approve the port to receive MSC Jade ships with the actual tonnage mentioned above.
For the above proposal, the Ministry of GT-VT has approved the policy to allow the port to study and make a plan to receive ships with a tonnage of up to 200,000 DWT into/from this port.
Mr. Phan Hoang Vu, Deputy General Director of SSIT Port, said that currently, shipping lines tend to receive large ships a lot, such as Evergreen of Cosco, OOCL of MSC. They receive ships up to 24,000 TEUs, with tonnage up to 220,000 – 232,000 DWT. The Ministry of GT-VT allows SSIT as well as ports in the CM-TV region to receive and test to welcome ships of over 200,000DWT will improve the competitiveness of Vietnam’s container ports with other ports in the region and effectively exploit port infrastructure.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ky, General Director of CMIT Port, General Secretary of Southeast Asia Seaport Association shared, the fact that ports at CM-TV welcome container ships up to 214,121 DWT will shape the transport route from Vietnam to Europe and North America, promoting the available advantages of Vietnam’s marine economy, make the most of the existing maritime infrastructure, create favorable conditions for enterprises, maintain and promote the currently operated cargo route.
Comments from seaport experts show that CM-TV welcomes super ships, which means that the competitiveness of CM-TV’s deep-water port cluster further raises the level with other ports in the region. And in the future, CM-TV can completely think of a new position, leading Vietnam and ranking 2nd in Southeast Asia.