Gemadept’s southern Vietnam port receives mega container ships

Within just over two years of trial operations (from March 2023 to May 2025), Gemalink Port of Vietnamese logistics giant Gemadept in Ba Ria-Vung Tau has safely received 70 container vessels of over 200,000 DWT (up to 232,494.5 DWT) under partially loaded conditions.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau province is now part of new Ho Chi Minh City after the merger of HCMC, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Binh Duong - three industrial centers in southern Vietnam.

"Partially loaded conditions" refers to situations where a system, like a machine, structure, or shipment, is not operating at its maximum capacity.

In its recent official letter to the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration and Gemadept-Terminal Link Cai Mep Port JSC – the operator of the port, the Ministry of Construction gave in-principle approval to the reception of container ships of up to 232,494.5 DWT at the terminal.

However, the port is only permitted to receive vessels of this size if all safety and operational conditions are fully met, specifically regarding channel navigation, natural conditions, port infrastructure integrity, maritime safety and security, fire prevention, and environmental protection.

Gemadept-Terminal Link, a subsidiary of Gemadept, is responsible for strictly complying with all directives and guidelines issued by the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration, the Vung Tau Port Authority, and other relevant agencies during the ship-handling process.

The company must also bear full responsibility for investment efficiency and any incidents that may arise during vessel reception. Additionally, it may not request public infrastructure upgrades funded by the Ministry of Construction.

Previously, in October 2023, the Vietnam Maritime Administration (now the Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration) approved a safety plan for trial operations allowing the handling of large container vessels over 200,000 DWT (up to 232,494.5 DWT) at Gemalink Port under partially loaded conditions.

Following this approval, Gemalink Port actively marketed the terminal and successfully attracted global shipping lines to establish direct routes from Cai Mep to Europe, Africa, and the U.S., using mega container ships of over 200,000 DWT.

These include global shipping alliances such as Ocean Alliance (CMA CGM, COSCO, EVERGREEN, OOCL) and The Alliance (HAPAG-LLOYD, ONE, HMM, YANG MING, MAERSK).

From March 2023 to May 31, 2025, Gemalink received a total of 1,055 vessel calls, including 70 mega ships in the 200,000-232,494.5 DWT range, all safely handled according to the approved maritime safety plan.

Receiving such large vessels has enabled shipping lines to transport more cargo per trip, reduce operating costs, and improve economic efficiency. The port operator benefits from increased revenue and higher investment returns. Other related revenues such as pilotage, port dues, and maritime support fees have also risen.

More importantly, Vietnamese exporters and importers gain significant advantages, as goods can now be shipped directly to Europe and the U.S., reducing reliance on transshipment hubs like Singapore or Hong Kong, saving both time and cost.

“This is a major step toward positioning the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster as a regional transshipment hub, aiming to rank among the top 7 most efficient container ports in the world,” said a Gemalink Port representative.

At its 2025 AGM on June 24, Gemadept approved its base business plan for 2025 with net revenue of VND4.85 trillion ($185.4 million) and pre-tax profit from core operations of VND1.8 trillion ($68.8 million).

In the first six months of 2025, the company estimated revenue at VND2.67 trillion ($102 million) and pre-tax profit at VND1.1 trillion ($42.04 million), equivalent to 56.9% and 61% of the respective plans, according to chairman Do Van Nhan.

Gemadept is listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange as GMD, which closed Friday at VND60,500 ($3.21) per share.