Quang Nam opens direct shipping route to India

Logistics infrastructure is focused on investment

On May 16, 2025, in Quang Nam , Truong Hai International Transport and Logistics Company Limited (THILOGI) held a ceremony to announce the completion of dredging Ky Ha waterway and sign a cooperation agreement between Regional Container Lines (RCL) and Chu Lai International Port, opening a direct shipping route Chu Lai - India.

Mr. Phan Van Ky, General Director of Chu Lai International Port, said that after a period of urgent dredging of the Ky Ha waterway, on May 8, the Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration completed dredging the Ky Ha waterway - the main waterway to Chu Lai International Port and officially put it into operation.

Ky Ha waterway - the main waterway to Chu Lai international port has completed dredging and officially put into operation from May 2025.

After completing the upgrade, Ky Ha waterway meets technical requirements, reaching a depth of -9.3m on the nautical chart, a bottom width of 110m, a length of 11km, and the ability to receive ships with a load capacity of 30,000 DTW.

The upgrading of Ky Ha waterway has solved the problem of cargo ships depending on the draft, helping large ships enter and exit the port more conveniently and flexibly, especially during peak hours and at night. This is a condition for Chu Lai International Port to improve the efficiency of wharf exploitation, attract goods through the port, expand international shipping routes and develop the logistics system in the Central and Central Highlands regions.

“Investing in and upgrading the waterway system is a strategic and long-term task to remove infrastructure bottlenecks, gradually develop Chu Lai international port into a type I port, and at the same time become an international logistics center, an important import-export hub of the Central region, Central Highlands, Southern Laos, Northern Cambodia and Northeastern Thailand, meeting the target of cargo throughput through Quang Nam seaport reaching 8.5 - 10.3 million tons by 2030, thereby attracting strong investment in Chu Lai Open Economic Zone,” said Mr. Ky.

The signing ceremony of cooperation between shipping company Regional Container Lines (RCL) and Chu Lai International Port witnessed by leaders of Quang Nam province.

Along with the announcement of the completion of dredging the Ky Ha waterway, Chu Lai International Port welcomed the ship CHANA BHUM (Singaporean nationality) of RCL shipping line, starting the Chu Lai - India fixed maritime route (Kolkata, Kattupalli, Chennai, Nhava Sheva, Cochin, Mundra ports...)

The CHANA BHUM ship transported nearly 800 containers of import and export goods, including: spare parts, garments, furniture, agricultural products... of domestic enterprises to India and vice versa.

In order to increase the capacity of the tugboat fleet and improve the quality of tugboat services, Chu Lai International Port has invested in a new tugboat - CHU LAI PORT 2. The total investment capital for the items including upgrading Ky Ha waterway and tugboats is more than 100 billion VND.

The operation of the new tugboat contributes to ensuring maritime safety for large-tonnage ships entering and leaving the port to load cargo according to the regulations of the Maritime Port Authority, while improving the capacity and efficiency of the port's business operations.

Prerequisites to become a logistics center

Mr. Le Van Dung, Chairman of Quang Nam Provincial People's Committee, said that Quang Nam is oriented to become an industrial, service and tourism center of the Central Highlands region; develop aviation, seaports and international logistics services. At the same time, develop competitive high-quality infrastructure with a multi-sector model, develop Chu Lai Open Economic Zone towards a multi-sector, multi-sector marine economic zone, an important hub for transportation, trade and international exchange of the Central and Central Highlands regions; a gateway connecting to the East Sea of ​​the Central Highlands, Southern Laos, Northeastern Cambodia and Thailand.

It can be said that investing in seaport infrastructure and shipping channels is a prerequisite for the formation and development of a logistics center in Quang Nam, thereby contributing to attracting investors and meeting the development needs of the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone. Therefore, dredging and upgrading the Ky Ha shipping channel has contributed to significantly increasing the capacity to receive large tonnage ships, ensuring maritime safety, while creating favorable conditions for import and export activities, promoting the development of supporting industries and forming a seamless and connected logistics supply chain for the region.

Investment in seaport infrastructure and shipping routes is a prerequisite for the formation and development of a logistics center in Quang Nam.

“India is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner in South Asia with great potential for extensive cooperation. Therefore, the signing of a cooperation agreement between Chu Lai International Port and RCL Shipping Line, opening a fixed, direct shipping route Chu Lai – India not only shortens transportation time and reduces logistics costs, but also creates new trade opportunities, promoting the import and export of agricultural and industrial products, auxiliary components and many other potential products of Quang Nam province and neighboring areas,” emphasized the Chairman of the Quang Nam Provincial People’s Committee.

Mr. Dung also shared that with its strategic geographical location, Chu Lai's international guidance and logistics infrastructure, Chu Lai (4F) is playing a leading role, an ideal and attractive destination in linking the development of seaports, maritime and regional logistics, with advantages compared to other localities to form and develop large-scale free trade zones.

“In the coming time, I suggest that THILOGI and Chu Lai International Port continue to focus resources on investment development, improving port infrastructure capacity, further expanding the international shipping network, aiming for a green, smart, energy-saving and environmentally friendly logistics model,” said Mr. Dung.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/quang-nam-mo-tuyen-hang-hai-truc-tiep-den-an-do-d284486.html