Ho Chi Minh City has approved the Cai Mep Ha general and container port project, a massive infrastructure undertaking valued at over 50,000 billion dong. Located in the area formerly known as Ba Ria - Vung Tau, the project spans 351 hectares and is designed to handle the world's largest container vessels. According to the investment policy and investor approval decision issued by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee (UBND TP HCM) on 30/1, three major investors are behind this ambitious project: Geleximco Group, International Transport and Trade Joint Stock Company (ITC Corp), and State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC).

Container ship entering the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port area. Photo: Truong Ha

The Cai Mep Ha Port will feature a total land use area of 351,2 hectares, with the container port area covering 229,4 hectares, including approximately 121 hectares of reclaimed land. The project includes a berth system totaling 7,5 kilometers in length, capable of accommodating container ships with a deadweight tonnage of up to 250,000 DWT (equivalent to 24,000 TEU), as well as medium-sized vessels and barges for coastal and inland waterway transport. An expansive ship anchorage area will span more than 121 hectares.

The facility will include a synchronized container yard, a comprehensive warehouse system comprising cold storage, chilled storage, and CFS (Container Freight Station) warehouses, alongside an irradiation zone. These, combined with other auxiliary facilities and technical infrastructure, will give the port a designed capacity of 10,8 million TEU per year.

The project's total investment exceeds 50,820 billion dong, with an operational period set for 50 years. Phase one is slated to begin port operations in Q4/2028, and the entire project is expected to be completed by 2045.

UBND TP HCM has mandated that investors collaborate with relevant authorities to review the approximately 85,5 hectares of protective forest land. They must complete all required land use purpose conversion procedures, ensuring no adverse impact on regional defense and security structures.

Cai Mep Ha Port is strategically positioned to become a key gateway and international transshipment hub. It will facilitate the import and export of container goods for long-haul shipping routes, contributing to logistics development, job creation, and increased budget revenue for the Southern key economic region.

Truong Ha