Can Tho (VNA) – A new domestic container transport service linking Can Tho Port in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and Cai Mep Port in Ba Ria–Vung Tau province was officially launched on May 30 at Can Tho Port.
The Mekong Express service is jointly operated by VIMC Container Transport JSC (VIMC Lines), a core subsidiary of the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC), and DP World Vietnam. It marks a significant step in VIMC Lines’ strategy to expand coastal shipping and strengthen logistics links in the Mekong Delta – one of the country’s largest hubs for agricultural and aquatic production and exports.
Running twice weekly, the service combines river and sea routes, cutting transport time from 48 hours to just 15 – a nearly 70% reduction compared to traditional river routes.
Speaking at the launch, Le Quang Trung, VIMC Deputy General Director and Chairman of Can Tho Port, said the service would provide a faster, more cost-effective, and sustainable option for moving goods from the Mekong Delta to global markets. He noted it could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 60%, supporting Vietnam’s Net Zero commitments.
Trung added that Can Tho Port is evolving from a supporting facility into a modern, independent logistics hub integrated into both national and global supply chains. The partnership with DP World reflects a shared commitment to improving logistics solutions and expanding cooperation to enhance the national supply chain.
Nguyen Ngoc He, Vice Chairman of the Can Tho City People’s Committee, described the new route as a vital link between the Mekong Delta – Vietnam’s key rice and seafood-producing region – and the economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City. By connecting to Cai Mep, one of Vietnam’s top deep-water ports, the service opens up international routes with quicker transit times, reduced costs, and less reliance on road transport.
The service can handle hundreds of TEUs per trip, including a large proportion of refrigerated containers – crucial for meeting the growing demand for cold-chain logistics in the Mekong Delta. It will soon expand to include additional stops at the Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT) operated by DP World, and Saigon Hiep Phuoc Port under VIMC.
The route is also set to connect with VIMC Lines’ broader domestic and international networks, covering Hai Phong, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, HCM City, as well as Kolkata (India) and Port Klang (Malaysia).
By enabling goods to move from Can Tho to Cai Mep for direct shipping to Europe, North America, and the Middle East, the Mekong Express lays the groundwork for a future maritime export corridor for the Southwest region./.
