With its deep-water location capable of accommodating the world’s largest container ships and its position at the heart of Vietnam’s Southern Key Economic Region, the Cai Mep – Thi Vai – Can Gio port cluster has attracted leading global port operators, such as PSA International, Hutchison Port Holdings, APM Terminals, DP World, and Hanjin.
According to a proposal by the Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration in collaboration with the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam, the area from the existing Cai Mep International Terminal to the Cai Mep Ha Terminal is planned to form a continuous berth line of approximately 22 kilometres, surpassing even the scale of Singapore’s port. This development would provide Cai Mep with a unique competitive advantage in terms of berth length and the capacity to accommodate the world’s largest vessels. In addition, with favourable natural conditions and abundant cargo sources, Cai Mep – Thi Vai would be positioned to compete directly with Singapore.
As a result, the CMA CGM Group – the world’s third-largest shipping line, in collaboration with Gemadept, one of Vietnam’s leading companies in logistics and port operations, has proposed further investment in the Cai Mep Ha port, with firm commitments of cargo volume from both existing and future partners. Meanwhile, Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), a subsidiary of MSC – the world’s largest shipping line, has proposed an international transshipment port in Can Gio. This project is expected to generate a significant breakthrough as MSC operates a fleet with a carrying capacity of over 23 million TEU per year, accounting for 18% of the global container transport capacity, and maintaining connections with more than 500 seaports worldwide.
In parallel, major domestic corporations are also actively advancing proposals for port development in the Cai Mep Ha port. Vingroup has proposed a comprehensive port complex integrating logistics, manufacturing, urban development, and services. The Geleximco – ITC – SCIC consortium plans to establish a general and container port, and Truong Hai Group Corporation (THACO) has proposed to invest in a port facility in the same area.
The development of the Cai Mep – Thi Vai – Can Gio “superport” cluster is expected to provide the foundation for establishing Free Trade Zones (FTZs)[1], creating an integrated trade and logistics ecosystem that enhances competitiveness and attracts global investment. Moreover, with strategic link with the Thu Thiem Financial Center, the national railway, and Long Thanh International Airport,
Ho Chi Minh City is well-positioned to become a leading international logistics hub. However, experts caution that success will depend less on capital or land resources, and more on synchronized and well-integrated infrastructure and institutional reforms, such as flexible customs regimes, financial liberalization, and digitalized management.
Building upon this vision, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade (DOIT) has advanced a proposal comprising 36 pioneering mechanisms and policies for the establishment of an FTZ linked to the Cai Mep Ha seaport. Key measures include:
(1) Attracting and utilizing highly skilled international talent;
(2) Allowing mortgaging of land-use rights with foreign banks;
(3) Creating preferential frameworks for profit repatriation and foreign exchange management;
(4) Liberalizing interest rates;
(5) Introducing refundable investment credits and tax subsidies; and
(6) Providing tailored incentives to attract leading global trading enterprises.
At the same time, experts emphasized that any modern deep-sea port aspiring to international standards must integrate railway lines directly connected to berths and seamlessly linked across the broader port network. This highlights the urgent necessity of investing in the Bau Bang – An Binh – Cai Mep railway, with future expansion envisioned toward Can Gio and the Mekong Delta, to ensure seamless multimodal transport and strengthen Vietnam’s global logistics competitiveness.
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Reference: Tuoi Tre Online, 1 October 2025
[1] Ports and FTZs function symbiotically: while the superport ensures large cargo throughput and international connectivity, the FTZ provides preferential mechanisms for seamless trade flows.
