CMIT and TCTT say coordinated operations could add nearly 900,000 TEU of annual handling capacity, creating more room for large containership calls without developing an entirely new quay.

Two neighbouring terminals in Vietnam’s Cai Mep–Thi Vai deep-water port cluster have launched commercial operations at a shared 1,200-metre berth, increasing their stated ability to handle large mainline containerships simultaneously from two to three.

Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT) and Tan Cang–Cai Mep Thi Vai Terminal (TCTT) formally launched the arrangement on October 9, following more than two years of work on infrastructure connections, operating procedures and safety coordination. 

Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) said the arrangement could increase each terminal’s operating capacity by approximately 30–40%, or 400,000–500,000 TEU annually. The combined potential gain is estimated at nearly 900,000 TEU a year. These are capacity projections, rather than additional throughput already secured. 

Two operators, one coordinated vessel plan

The project combines adjacent quay space with coordinated equipment and workforce deployment. The terminals have similar quay elevations, aligned waterfronts and crane rail systems that can be connected.

Both operators retain their own equipment, teams and resources. For a shared vessel call, however, they work under a unified operating plan covering berth allocation, crane deployment, terminal tractors and traffic flows. 

The practical opportunity lies in using the continuous quay more flexibly. Spare sections at two separately managed terminals may be insufficient for another large vessel when considered individually. Joint planning allows the available space to be allocated around actual vessel dimensions and handling requirements.

That flexibility could become particularly useful when delayed sailings disrupt berth windows or several services arrive close together. Its effectiveness will also depend on yard capacity and the availability of cranes, vehicles and labour.

Trials establish an operating record

The partners opened an internal connecting gate and signed a cooperation memorandum on May 24, 2024. A technical trial followed on March 30, 2026, using Wan Hai 331. 

On September 7–8, the terminals jointly handled a call by the ZIM-operated Shenzhen, moving approximately 3,200 TEU of laden and empty containers. CMIT said the vessel departed on schedule.

The operation followed a maritime safety plan approved by the Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration and was supervised by the Ho Chi Minh City Port Authority, according to CMIT. 

Saigon Newport Corporation reported that the partners deployed four quay cranes and 20 terminal tractors, with each terminal supplying half. TCTT handled 861 containers, equivalent to 1,485 TEU, at an average reported productivity of 94.25 containers per hour. That figure relates to TCTT’s portion of the operation, rather than a sustained productivity measure for the entire shared berth. 

At the October 9 commercial launch, cranes from both terminals worked the Hapag-Lloyd vessel Ain Snan Express. The published examples demonstrate joint handling of individual ships; they do not document a specific three-large-vessel simultaneous berthing arrangement. 

Cooperation across separate terminal businesses

CMIT is a joint venture involving VIMC, Saigon Port and APM Terminals. TCTT belongs to the Saigon Newport Corporation network. The project establishes cooperation between independently operated terminals; no equity merger was announced. 

The arrangement offers an approach to capacity development based on better use of existing assets. For carriers, the commercial benefit would come from more dependable berth access and vessel turnaround, particularly during periods of concentrated arrivals.

For terminal operators, sharing a vessel operation also introduces coordination requirements beyond those of a conventional call. Berth availability must be matched with equipment allocation, yard movements and communication between two operating teams.

Additional capacity still needs cargo and calls

Cai Mep–Thi Vai already accommodates direct services linking Vietnam with Europe and the Americas. More flexible berth planning could strengthen its ability to serve large vessels and respond to changes in liner networks.

The projected capacity gain will translate into throughput only if supported by vessel calls and cargo demand. The launch announcements did not identify new China–Vietnam services or cargo transfers from competing ports resulting from the arrangement.

For manufacturers and logistics providers using Vietnam’s southern gateways, including Chinese businesses with regional supply chains, the potential benefit is improved reliability at the Vietnamese end of the transport chain. Any reduction in waiting time or improvement in connections remains to be demonstrated through regular operations.

With technical trials and joint vessel calls completed, the next test is sustained performance: whether the shared berth delivers more usable windows, reliable turnaround and additional business for both terminals.