Denmark’s Maersk, Vietnam’s Hateco to collaborate on green logistics, port automation

Danish shipping giant Maersk and Vietnamese group Hateco have agreed to strengthen cooperation in terminal development in the northern city of Hai Phong, particularly in green logistics and port automation.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed Tuesday by port operator APM Terminals, under Maersk and Hateco Haiphong International Container Terminal (HHIT), a fully owned subsidiary of Hateco.

The signing happened on the first day of a Vietnam visit by a Dutch trade mission featuring 44 businesses, mostly focused on logistics, renewable energy and waste management.

“We are now strengthening our cooperation by assisting HHIT to reach its goal of having a sustainable and efficient terminal that is suitable for the future and benefits customers,” said Jonathan Goldner, chief executive, Asia & Middle East, APM Terminals.

Nguyen Van Tien, CEO of HHIT, said “APM Terminals will provide advisory support to develop the largest, most modern and environmentally sustainable container port in northern Vietnam.”

In March 2023, APM Terminals and Hateco launched a strategic partnership to develop two new deep-water berths at the Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong city in order to facilitate direct import and export of goods between the north of Vietnam and European and American markets.

The investor, Hateco, said it planned to complete all construction works and deploy equipment by the end of 2024, and the new terminal was expected to become operational by the first quarter of 2025.

APM Terminals has been active in Vietnam since 2007 with its participation in joint venture Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT). CMIT, strategically serving Ho Chi Minh City, is one of the few terminals in Southeast Asia capable of accommodating the largest container vessels in the world.