From the pioneering shared-berth model to a series of operational records, SNP is steadily fulfilling its mission of facilitating trade flows and helping establish Cai Mep as a strategic destination on the global maritime map.

Cai Mep port cluster of Saigon Newport Corporation 

From National Strategy to Connecting Ho Chi Minh City’s Port System

In an era of deep economic integration, logistics and seaport infrastructure are regarded as the “lifeblood” of the economy, directly affecting its competitiveness. Resolution 24-NQ/TW dated October 7, 2022, clearly set out the goal of “modernizing Cai Mep - Thi Vai International Gateway Port into a major international transshipment port of regional and global stature.” At the same time, the Vietnam Logistics Services Development Strategy for 2025-2035, with a vision to 2050, sets clear requirements for digital and green transformation, optimized port infrastructure, and seamless connectivity between port terminals and the logistics network behind them.

Against this backdrop, SNP’s deep-water port cluster in the Cai Mep area, comprising Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Terminal Co., Ltd. (TCIT), Tan Cang - Cai Mep Thi Vai Terminal (TCTT) and Tan Cang - Cai Mep Terminal (TCCT), leverages the advantages of a deep-water port system integrated with a logistics network. Expanding connectivity among port terminals is a practical step toward making better use of infrastructure resources and improving services for customers.

A New Cooperation Model for Cai Mep - Thi Vai Port Cluster

The most significant transformation of SNP in Cai Mep has recently been marked by a breakthrough in port infrastructure operations. TCTT and Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT) have officially begun operating a “shared berth” model, marking the first infrastructure connection between two independent port terminals in Vietnam. The two terminals successfully handled the 335.63-meter-long ZIM Shenzhen in September 2026.

Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Terminal (TCIT), directly connecting Vietnam with major markets in the Americas and Europe

As the global shipping industry continues to deploy larger vessels to optimize costs, individual terminals have long been constrained by berth length. From a port operations perspective, the most significant value of the TCTT - CMIT shared berth lies not in adding another berth, but in making more effective use of existing infrastructure by shifting from independent operations to coordinated use of infrastructure between neighboring terminals. The breakthrough shared-berth model has delivered three strategic benefits:

Flexible berth capacity optimization: Eliminating situations of “excess capacity in one place and shortages in another,” helping shipping lines reduce berth waiting during peak periods and improve schedule reliability on international service routes.

Pooling equipment and human resources: Enabling the simultaneous deployment of modern STS quay cranes, yard handling equipment and skilled personnel from both terminals, maximizing vessel turnaround productivity.

Enhancing the attractiveness of Cai Mep port cluster: Making Cai Mep a more attractive destination for major global shipping alliances seeking transshipment ports capable of flexibly handling transoceanic service routes.

Tan Cang Ecosystem in Cai Mep: Strength from Integrated Operations

The outstanding strength of SNP in the Cai Mep deep-water port cluster comes not only from breakthrough infrastructure connections, but also from a solid foundation built on a comprehensive port and logistics ecosystem, with each link serving as a pillar while remaining closely connected:

TCIT Strengthening Position as Leading Deep-Water Port in the Region

Building on expanded capacity and an increasingly complete connectivity network, TCIT now has an operating capacity of 2.4 million TEUs per year, twice its original design capacity. The terminal is also authorized to handle container vessels of nearly 174,000 DWT. In the first nine months of 2026, TCIT successfully handled 400 mother vessels across 13 international service routes. For full-year 2026, throughput is expected to reach approximately 2.3 million TEUs, setting a new operational record since TCIT began operations.

By optimizing berth plans, allocating equipment efficiently and strengthening coordination throughout the operational process, vessel turnaround productivity at TCIT has been maintained at an average of 130 containers per hour per vessel, on par with the same period last year. This helps shipping lines shorten port stays, maintain schedule reliability and optimize operating costs.

This capacity not only strengthens TCIT’s ability to handle large vessels but also enables shipping lines to organize service routes on a larger and more efficient scale, providing customers with more convenient and diverse connections to key markets in Europe, the Americas, Africa and intra-Asia.

Through policies promoting direct cargo delivery and receipt, streamlining operational processes and reducing transshipment stages, together with active support from Customs authorities, direct cargo delivery and receipt at the terminal increased by 55% year on year, while gate processing time remained at around 15 minutes per container. As a result, customers can shorten procedures and cargo collection times, reduce waiting costs, and ease pressure on transshipment points at destination ports.

TCCT Completing Integrated Logistics Service Chain

TCCT serves as a flexible logistics hub behind the port. With extensive warehouse and yard facilities, specialized equipment and strong expertise, TCCT is a leading choice for project cargo, oversized and overweight cargo and other value-added services. TCCT’s flexibility helps ease pressure on specialized container terminals while meeting the diverse transportation needs of key industrial parks across the Southern Key Economic Region.

Facilitating Logistics Flows, Strengthening Vietnam’s Maritime Position

The close integration of TCIT, TCTT and TCCT, together with SNP’s network of ICDs, warehouses and transportation infrastructure, has created a comprehensive and optimized logistics ecosystem. Proactively connecting infrastructure, as demonstrated by the TCTT - CMIT shared berth model, while continuously improving service quality represents a strategic step that affirms SNP’s strong capacity to optimize costs and time for customers.

These efforts not only strengthen the competitiveness of Ho Chi Minh City’s seaport system but also contribute to the goal of developing Cai Mep - Thi Vai into a modern international transshipment hub of regional stature. Building on its proud tradition and spirit of innovation, SNP remains committed to accelerating digital transformation, developing green ports, facilitating trade flows and raising Vietnam’s maritime industry to the global stage.