At the Vietnam-Denmark Business Forum, held in Copenhagen on October 20 (local time) as part of the State visit to Denmark by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, Vietnam's Hateco Group and APM Terminals (APMT), a member of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group, signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on researching, investing in, developing, and operating a network of railway cargo stations in Vietnam, with a preliminary total investment estimated at approximately $3.5 billion.

According to the memorandum, the two parties will collaborate to research and propose investments in developing and operating a railway cargo station in Hai Phong, including a cargo handling center and storage yard system. Additionally, they plan to explore three more locations for railway cargo operations in the northern region. 

The projects are aimed at developing modern exploitation models, applying digital technology in the management, reception, storage, and transshipment of goods. When connected with seaports and inter-regional transportation systems, the railway cargo station network is expected to enhance links between industrial zones, production centers, logistics hubs, and seaports.

For the northern region, which concentrates many industrial production facilities and export activities, developing railway cargo hubs could expand container transportation methods, increase connectivity with the Hai Phong seaport system, and international trade routes. This network is also expected to help reduce pressure on road transport and improve logistics efficiency.

The agreement expands the scope of cooperation between Hateco and APM Terminals from seaport infrastructure to researching and developing railway infrastructure. Previously, the two parties collaborated on developing the Hateco Haiphong International Container Terminal (HHIT), part of the Lach Huyen port area.

HHIT is oriented towards developing a modern deep-water port model, applying technology in management and exploitation, capable of receiving container ships with a capacity of up to 18,000 TEUs. 

Researching the railway cargo station network is the next step in the direction of connecting seaport infrastructure with other transportation methods. However, the cooperation content is currently in the research and investment proposal stage; the specific scale and implementation plan will depend on the research results of both parties.