On June 5, 2025, at the invitation of Mr. Nguyen Le Chon Tam – General Director of Saigon Port Joint Stock Company (Saigon Port), His Excellency (H.E) Mr. Thomas Gass – Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam, together with his spouse and H.E. Mr. Werner Bardill – Swiss Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, along with their delegation had an official visit at Saigon Port’s headquarters. The visit followed a meeting at a networking event for major Swiss enterprises on March 7, 2025, which was attended by the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee – Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc.

Notably, the meeting was attended and chaired by Mr. Le Anh Son, Chairman of the Board of Directors of VIMC. The working session was also honored to welcome Mr. Benjamin Chancerelle, Head of Logistics of MSC, the world’s largest container shipping line with headquarters in Switzerland and a crucial partner in the Can Gio International Transshipment Port project.

During the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Le Chon Tam presented an overview of Saigon Port and emphasized its rich history of over 160 years and its vital strategic role in the logistics system and economy of Southern Vietnam. He also detailed Saigon Port’s current capabilities, including its modern facilities and equipment, vessel-handling capacity, and diverse maritime services.

Mr. Tam particularly highly appreciated the Can Gio International Transshipment Port project, a national key project with strategic vision to establish Vietnam as a regional and global transshipment hub. This large-scale project, divided into multiple phases, aims to handle tens of millions of TEUs annually and is capable of receiving accommodating the world’s largest container ships (up to 250,000 DWT or 24,000 TEU). The initial phases will focus on building essential infrastructure and integrating advanced port management technology. The project holds significant advantages and a competitive edge due to its strategic location in Go Con Cho Islet, close to international maritime routes. Its ideal natural draft depth allows large vessels easy access, reducing operational costs. Furthermore, the project will be supported by a multimodal transport system, including road, inland waterway and potential railway to create a comprehensive logistics network. The project has garnered strong support from both the central Government and the Ho Chi Minh City administration through various preferential policies.

Mr. Tam also highlighted the vital role of MSC, one of the world’s largest shipping lines, as a strategic partner in realizing this ambitious project. He affirmed the commitment of Saigon Port and Vietnam to international cooperation to develop world-class port infrastructure.

Following the meeting, the delegation took a boat trip to inspect the project site at Go Con Cho Islet in Can Gio District. They also visited Saigon Port’s joint-venture deep-water ports in the Cai Mep area – SSIT, CMIT and SP-PSA – and surveyed the Soai Rap channel and Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port, a subsidiary of Saigon Port.

At the end of the visit, Ambassador Thomas Gass expressed his special interest in the Can Gio International Transshipment Port project. He mentioned that he would propose a similar site tour to the President of the Swiss Confederation during his upcoming state visit to Vietnam. This underscores the project’s immense importance and potential for fostering international cooperation, particularly with Switzerland, a nation with a developed economy and a sustainable trade relationship with Vietnam.

Chuong Pham

Translated by: Duc Nguyen