CAI Mep International Terminal (CMIT) has become the first seaport in Vietnam to dock a 18,300-TEUer, with the arrival of the Triple E class Margrethe Maersk.
The ship was carrying goods from Asia to Europe, docking at Cai Mep to load and directly transport Vietnamese goods to Europe. This direct route reduces the journey times by one day and lowers costs by 10-20 per cent compared to transit routes in other nations, reported Saigon-Giai Phong Daily.
This milestone comes after the Cai Mep International Terminal Company sent a report in September 2015, seeking the Ministry of Transport's approval to test the handling of 18,000-TEU ships at CMIT.
Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Cong worked with relevant agencies including Vietnam Marine Administration, Maritime Administration of Vung Tau, Southern Vietnam Maritime Safety Corporation, and Portcoast Consultant Corporation to find ways for ships of this size to enter the port safety.
According to CMIT director general Robert Hambleton, the handling of Margrethe Maersk on February 20 proved the ability of CMIT and Vietnam to become a transit centre for Asia-Europe cargo, and contributed to realising the government's policy of developing the Cai Mep seaport complex into an international container transit centre.
