Cai Mep - Thi Vai: The strategic link bringing the new Ho Chi Minh City out to the ocean

Central link in the national logistics corridor

After merging with the two provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau , Ho Chi Minh City has created a breakthrough for the seaport system. The seaport has changed from a "goods receiving" position to a proactive position of "leading the flow of trade".

The total natural area increased to nearly 9,820 km², stretching from the central urban area to the coastline from Long Hai to Con Dao. From an "inland" city, Ho Chi Minh City has now become a coastal super city, possessing the largest port system in the country and a rare open economic - logistics space in the world.

And in that development picture, the Cai Mep - Thi Vai deep-water port cluster is emerging as a "strategic growth pole", considered the "global gateway" of the Southeast super region.

In recent years, the strong rise of Cai Mep - Thi Vai has created a turning point for Vietnam's supply chain. This is a rare area in Southeast Asia capable of receiving container ships over 150,000 DWT, directly connecting to the trans- Pacific shipping route without having to transit through Singapore or Hong Kong.

Currently, the entire port cluster owns 51 service routes, including 37 international routes to the US, Europe and major Asian markets. This helps shorten the time to transport goods from Vietnam to the West Coast of the US to 16 - 18 days, improving the competitiveness of the entire economy.

After the merger, Ho Chi Minh City became the locality with the most seaports in Vietnam with 90 ports out of a total of 306 seaports nationwide.

One of the key points for Cai Mep - Thi Vai to make a breakthrough is the inter-regional transport infrastructure that is being heavily invested in. This not only expands the scale but also forms a multi-layered connection network, operating smoothly between port areas.

In particular, Cai Mep - Thi Vai becomes the center for receiving ocean ships, playing the role of a gateway for global exports. Cat Lai and ICDs in the inner city take on the function of collecting goods, transiting and distributing them deep into the region.

The strong rise of Cai Mep - Thi Vai creates a turning point for Vietnam's supply chain.

In addition, the connection between ports - industry - urban areas creates a continuous development circuit, becoming a new growth driver for the entire region. Thanks to that, the flow of goods is no longer "interrupted" by administrative boundaries as before, but is smoother, more efficient and more competitive.

The connecting infrastructure system is being strongly promoted, in which the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway has entered the accelerated construction phase, while Ring Road 3 and Ring Road 4 create a complete traffic axis surrounding the entire region. In particular, when completed, Phuoc An Bridge will directly connect Cai Mep with the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway, allowing goods from the West to go straight to the sea without having to go through the city center.

When these key transport routes are put into operation, Ho Chi Minh City's transport network will expand into a continuous logistics corridor, competitive enough with major regional centres such as Klang (Malaysia) or Laem Chabang (Thailand).

Ho Chi Minh City seaport aims for Top 10 in the world

According to the new planning, the Saigon River area will form an international passenger port of 30,000 GT, with a capacity of about 1,200 passengers, suitable for the clearance of Phu My bridge. This area will be accompanied by a marina system, creating a new driving force for waterway tourism.

At Mui Den Do, a 60,000 GT (1,600 - 2,200 passenger) passenger port will be built. Super cruise ships with 6,000 - 8,000 passengers are expected to dock at Bai Truoc - Vung Tau.

When the entire ecosystem of seaports - logistics - marine tourism services is completed, Ho Chi Minh City can completely aim to be in the Top 10 largest container ports in the world.

This is not a far-fetched ambition. In 2024, the Cai Mep area handled 328 million tons of cargo, accounting for 38% of the country's total cargo volume. Container throughput reached 21.2 million TEU, equivalent to 71% of the total container volume of the entire Vietnamese port system.

Among the ports in Cai Mep, Gemalink is a bright spot. This is one of the few ports in the world that can receive 250,000 DWT container ships, belonging to the group of 19 largest ports in the world that meet this standard.

Some highlights: Investment capital of nearly 400 million USD, 800m wharf, 32ha yard in phase 1; After 4 years of operation, total output reached 6 million TEU; In 2024, there will be 525 train trips, reaching 1.75 million TEU; In 2025, it is expected to be nearly 2 million TEU.

According to the plan, Gemalink will be expanded by 390m of wharf, connecting continuously with SSIT and CMH, forming a 3.5km wharf line by 2030. Further, the entire area from CMIT to CMH can reach 22km of continuous wharf length, surpassing the system of Singapore port - one of the largest transit ports in the world.

Mr. Cao Hong Phong, Deputy Director of Gemalink, commented: " With superior natural conditions, abundant goods sources and a seamlessly planned wharf route, Cai Mep - Thi Vai is fully capable of competing directly with Singapore."

If this becomes a reality, Vietnam will possess an advantage that no other country in the world has: A super long wharf line, able to receive the largest ships, right next to a megacity of 20 million people.

In the context of increasingly fierce international competition, the country that owns a strong seaport and logistics system will have the advantage. With its new position, Ho Chi Minh City is not only the economic center of Vietnam, but is also moving towards the position of an Asian-scale coastal megacity.

Hoang Tho

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/cai-mep-thi-vai-mat-xich-chien-luoc-dua-tp-hcm-moi-vuon-ra-bien-lon-ar985717.html