Tan Cang Pilot: Inaugural arrival of vessel at Tan Cang - Cai Mep deepwater terminal

On June 3, 2009, CEO Nguyen Dang Nghiem, along with the Board of Directors, employees, and soldiers of Saigon Tan Cang Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K Lines (Japan), numerous representatives from shipping companies, forwarding companies, import-export customers, the Japan External Trade Organization, ship captains, and crew members of the MOL Premium vessel, enthusiastically welcomed the first ship to arrive at Tan Cang Cai Mep Port. The MOL Premium vessel is owned by Mitsui O.S.K Lines, with a length of 293 meters, a capacity of 6,350 TEUs, and a total deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 75,000. This is also the largest vessel to dock in Vietnam to date.

Located in Tan Phuoc Commune, Tan Thanh District, Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, Tan Cang Cai Mep terminal has a completed infrastructure of 900 meters of berths for 80,000 DWT vessels, and 60 hectares of yard space. This port, known as Tan Cang - Cai Mep Phase 1, is a part of Saigon Newport Company's Tan Cang - Cai Mep Joint Stock Company. Notably, this project is primarily funded through Saigon Newport Company's resources, with an investment of nearly 1.2 trillion VND. The port covers a total area of 20.5 hectares and features a 300-meter main berth, 45.5 meters in width, and three approach berths capable of accommodating vessels with a loading capacity of up to 80,000 DWT. The water depth at the quayside reaches -15.8 meters. The main berth is equipped with three specialized Post-Panamax quay cranes with a lifting capacity of 65 tons, capable of handling two 20-foot containers simultaneously. Additionally, there are ten Rubber-Tired Gantry cranes for yard operations, with a lifting capacity of 40 tons and stacking height of 5 tiers. The port also operates ten tractors along with a modern container management software system named TOPX, provided by RBS (Australia), a leading port software company. The designed annual capacity for Phase 1 of the port is 650,000 TEUs. Tan Cang - Cai Mep terminal is connected to Tan Cang terminal, Cat Lai terminal, various Inland Container Depots (ICD) in Ho Chi Minh City, Song Than ICD in Binh Duong, and Long Binh ICD in Bien Hoa, Dong Nai, creating a comprehensive logistics system to facilitate the handling and transportation of goods in the Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai, Binh Duong regions. In addition to providing port operation and cargo handling services, Tan Cang - Cai Mep Deepwater terminal offers tugboat services with three tugboats boasting a total capacity of 7,700 horsepower, serving the docking and undocking of large vessels. They also offer lighterage services with a fleet of 15 barges capable of carrying over 700 TEUs to transport containers from Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Mep. The Tan Cang Pilot, with its experienced and dedicated team of pilots, has received approval from the Vietnam Maritime Administration to guide ships into Tan Cang - Cai Mep terminal.

Saigon Newport Company is currently expeditiously constructing an additional 600 meters of berths and 40 hectares of yard space to collaborate with Hanjin Shipping, Mitsui O.S.K Lines, and Wanhai Lines for operation by the end of 2010. In the near future, the company will complete a 50-meter berth extension by the end of August 2009 to accommodate vessels with LOA exceeding 300 meters at the terminal.

With its modern technical infrastructure, favorable geographical location, and a comprehensive logistics network connecting to key economic regions in the south, Tan Cang - Cai Mep terminal promises to be an attractive destination for shipping lines, liner agencies, and domestic and international import-export businesses.

Amidst the economic downturn, cost reduction in production is the primary goal for any enterprise. In reality, in recent years, due to the absence of deepwater ports, Vietnamese export companies have been at a disadvantage compared to companies in Southeast Asia, China, Hong Kong, and Japan. This is because they incur additional costs for transshipment at locations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Pusan, and Laemchabang. The moment when Tan Cang - Cai Mep terminal, belonging to Saigon Newport Company, welcomes the first ship holds significant importance not only for Saigon Newport Company and MOL but also for shipping companies and businesses in the key economic region of the South. The implementation of direct routes from Vietnam to ports in the Americas and Europe will play a positive role in reducing transportation costs for businesses, significantly boosting Vietnam's import-export activities. The opening of Tan Cang - Cai Mep terminal Phase 1 is a result of strategic vision and the correct leadership of the Ministry of National Defense and the Navy. It is a result of proper investments, expansion of scale, investment in depth, and the continuous effort, unity, dynamism, and creativity of Saigon Newport Company's employees and workers, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai during the 20th-anniversary celebration of QCSG on March 15, 2009.