Operating twice a week, the barge service reduces transit times of 48 hours by river to just 15 hours via a combination of river and sea routes, a 70 per cent improvement. While the previous journey covered approximately 367km, the coastal route is significantly shorter at around 200km, making it a faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective solution for cargo owners across Vietnam.

Designed to support dry and cold chain logistics, the Mekong Express can transport up to several hundred TEUs per voyage and is capable of handling large numbers of refrigerated containers. The partners plan to expand the route to include a call at the Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT), which is operated by DP World, and a call at Saigon Hiep Phuoc Port under VIMC.

The new service is also a more sustainable alternative to road transport, generating 60 per cent less carbon emissions. Equipped with real-time digital cargo tracking and carbon monitoring, DP World and VIMC Lines expect the service to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2026.

Glen Hilton, CEO and managing director for Asia-Pacific at DP World, said, “DP World is committed to building a seamless, integrated supply chain ecosystem in Vietnam, an increasingly important market for trade in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. With the Mekong Express, we are responding to demand for a more efficient and reliable service. This will help support economic development not just within southern Vietnam but throughout the country. The launch of this new coastal logistics service also marks a major step in our expansion in Vietnam, complementing our ongoing operation of SPCT.”

Le Quang Trung, deputy CEO of the VIMC, said, “VIMC is proud to launch and operate the Mekong Express, a service which brings new levels of efficiency and reliability to Vietnam’s domestic logistics landscape. The collaboration between VIMC Lines and DP World Vietnam in this service reflects our shared commitment to advancing and innovating new solutions for customers in the country. We look forward to continuing expanding international cooperation to unlock greater value for businesses and strengthen the country’s supply chain resilience.”

South Vietnam, home to the Mekong Delta Key Economic Region and the Southern Key Economic Region, has become the engine of Vietnam’s manufacturing and export economy. By enhancing connectivity between these strategically vital zones, the Mekong Express will strengthen Vietnam’s role in regional and global logistics networks.

DP World currently operates SPCT in Ho Chi Minh City, with an annual capacity of 400,000 TEUs and the only roll-on/roll-off port in southern Vietnam. The company also has its corporate office in Ho Chi Minh, and three other freight forwarding offices in Can Tho, Haiphong, and Hanoi.