Cai Mep – Thi Vai (CMTV) is now a leading, state-of-the-art seaport in Vietnam. Benefiting from its strategic location, integrated infrastructure, and substantial handling capacity, CMTV has attracted numerous top-tier global shipping lines and port operators for joint port ventures.

Aspiring to Become an International Transshipment Hub

Cai Mep – Thi Vai (CMTV) Port is currently one of the largest and most modern seaports in Vietnam. With its advantageous geographic location, synchronized infrastructure, and significant handling capacity, CMTV has attracted numerous leading global shipping lines and port operators to enter into joint ventures for port operations.

According to Decision 442/QD-TTg, CMTV is prioritized for the development of its berth areas. As part of the Group 4 seaports, including Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Long An seaports, the target by 2030 is to handle 500 to 564 million tons of cargo (including 29 to 33 million TEUs of containers, excluding international transshipment cargo) and serve 2.8 to 3.1 million passengers.

CMTV is also one of the few ports capable of accommodating ultra-large container vessels with a capacity of up to 250,000 tons, ranking among the top 50 ports globally in terms of container throughput. Additionally, CMTV is situated near international shipping routes, offering the lowest handling and transshipment costs in the region, along with infrastructure, equipment, technology, and loading/unloading productivity that are comparable to international standards. These competitive advantages position CMTV to become a leading international transshipment hub.

Innovation for Realization

Despite its immense potential, Cai Mep – Thi Vai (CMTV) Port still faces several limitations. The ports in the region are not yet effectively interconnected, administrative procedures are cumbersome, and a complete logistics ecosystem is lacking. To transform CMTV into an international transshipment hub, robust solutions are required, such as:

• Intermodal connectivity: Linking ports and optimizing berth lengths. Some businesses have pointed out that inflexible procedures prolong cargo handling time, potentially leading to the risk of missing vessels. When port productivity is low, shipping lines may be hesitant to increase transshipment volume at Cai Mep.
• Developing a logistics ecosystem: Constructing logistics centers, warehouses, and supporting services.
• Infrastructure investment: Dredging channels, upgrading roads, and investing in modern technology.
• Policy reform: Continuing to remove policy barriers and procedures to facilitate cargo transshipment at the port complex and create favorable conditions for customs clearance, simplifying procedures, reducing time, and cutting clearance costs.

Cai Mep – Thi Vai possesses immense potential to become an international transshipment hub. However, to realize this goal, significant investments are needed in port development planning, transportation, modernization, digitalization, and automation in port management and operations, as well as the development of maritime logistics services, customs procedures, tax policies, and appropriate fees. Simultaneously, these efforts will contribute significantly to Vietnam’s socio-economic development.