On 7 October 2026, leaders of the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) and Saigon Port Joint Stock Company (Saigon Port) met with senior executives of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), one of the world’s leading container shipping lines. The visit reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Can Gio International Transshipment Port project, with the aim of establishing a regional container transshipment hub and strengthening Ho Chi Minh City’s position in the global maritime network.
At Saigon Port’s headquarters, Mr. Le Anh Son, General Director of VIMC, and Mr. Nguyen Le Chon Tam, General Director of Saigon Port, welcomed Mr. Soren Toft, CEO of MSC, for discussions.
As part of the working visit, MSC executives and representatives of the MSC – VIMC – Saigon Port investor consortium also met with Mr. Nguyen Cong Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, to review the project’s progress and discuss transport infrastructure connectivity.
At the meeting, Mr. Soren Toft identified Vietnam as one of MSC’s key growth markets in Southeast Asia. Given the country’s strategic location, trade potential and access to international shipping routes, MSC views the Can Gio Port project as an important link in its regional network expansion strategy.
The development is expected to not only establish a major container port but also support a modern logistics ecosystem, enabling Vietnam to accommodate more international mainline vessels, expand cargo transshipment, and sharpen the competitive edge of the nation’s seaport network.
City leaders highly appreciated MSC’s extensive experience and capabilities in international port operations, as well as the role of VIMC and Saigon Port in enhancing domestic port connectivity and maximizing the nation’s maritime potential.
Ho Chi Minh City regards the Can Gio International Transshipment Port as a strategic infrastructure project central to the long-term development of its maritime economy, logistics services and international trade connectivity.
The city reaffirmed its commitment to accompanying the consortium, focusing on resolving issues within its authority, accelerating planning, completing the necessary procedures, and promoting investment in connecting infrastructure to facilitate the project’s early implementation.
A key focus of the discussions was the coordinated development of transportation systems to ensure seamless connectivity when the port enters operation.
In terms of road infrastructure, the city has initiated work on a transport link from the Phuoc An area to the planned Can Gio port site. The route is expected to become a vital freight corridor, improving cargo flows and inter-connectivity between terminals and the regional logistics network.
Concurrently, special attention is being paid to the upgrading and maintenance of navigation channels. In October 2026, Ho Chi Minh City plans to work with the Ministry of Construction and relevant agencies to discuss and agree on development plans for key channels serving port operations.
Under the approach discussed, the parties will study options to achieve navigation channel depths of approximately minus 16 to minus 18 meters in the Cai Mep – Can Gio area. This would accommodate mega container ships in line with evolving fleet sizes and international shipping networks.
For the Soai Rap channel, the city will continue to prioritize maintenance to sustain an operating depth of approximately minus 9.5 meters, while studying a long-term upgrade to minus 16 meters, in line with planning and feasibility.
Coordinated investment in these channels will not only facilitate the Can Gio International Transshipment Port but also enhance the operating efficiency of the Hiep Phuoc port system, strengthen connections between port and logistics hubs, and gradually establish a highly competitive inter-regional maritime transport network.
To promptly address implementation challenges, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has assigned Vice Chairman Nguyen Cong Vinh to provide comprehensive direction and oversight for the Can Gio International Transshipment Port project. Consortium members warmly welcomed the decision as a clear sign of the city’s commitment, reinforcing their confidence and driving closer cooperation to accelerate progress and realize the project at the earliest opportunity.
At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Cong Vinh stressed the need for close cooperation between the city government and the MSC – VIMC – Saigon Port consortium, aiming to expedite regulatory procedures and prepare the necessary conditions for the project to break ground early.
The partnership between a global shipping group with a worldwide operational network and Vietnam’s key maritime enterprises, along with the active support of the Ho Chi Minh City government, is expected to provide a crucial foundation for gradually bringing the Can Gio International Transshipment Port project to fruition.
Once implemented and operational, the project will not only expand international container transshipment capacity but also stimulate the growth of port services, logistics, and related industries, thereby helping Ho Chi Minh City become a more prominent hub in the global supply chain and maritime transport network.
Author: Chuong Pham
Translator: Thai Vuong Nhi
