Cai Mep deep-water port complex boosts capacity through terminal integration

In early September, a joint operation between Cai Mep International Terminal and Tan Cang - Cai Mep Thi Vai Terminal successfully received the mega Zim Shenzhen vessel, signaling a breakthrough for the Cai Mep - Thi Vai deep-water port cluster. This interconnected berth model allows adjacent berths to be merged, expanding capacity for ultra-large container ships.

The port cluster currently boasts 25 operating ports, each originally designed with 600-meter piers to handle two 280-meter ships simultaneously. However, the global container fleet is shifting towards vessels measuring 350m or longer to lower costs and streamline operations. Standalone berths limit the simultaneous handling of large vessels, leading to underutilized resources.

By allocating adjacent pier sections and creating a shared 460-meter berth, CMIT and TCTT can now accommodate three mega vessels concurrently. This model demonstrates the potential of infrastructure sharing and resource linkage to address the fragmentation issue in the port cluster. To fully capitalize on this opportunity, a synchronized institutional framework is needed, starting with regulatory authorities implementing a pilot mechanism for the adjacent berth integration model.

Customs and maritime regulation agencies must also establish specialized procedures and seamless single-window management to eliminate procedural bottlenecks for goods and vessels passing through the sub-terminals. Lastly, a clear legal framework should standardize civil liability, insurance, and incident resolution protocols among the operating corporate entities.