CMA CGM Marco Polo, the largest container ship in the world, docked at a major international seaport in the southern Vietnamese province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on Friday, commencing a new weekly service to transfer cargo directly from Vietnam to Northern Europe.

This ship will dock at Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s Cai Mep International Port (CMIT) weekly to transfer Vietnam’s import and export goods straight to the Nordic market, saving much time and cost than going through transshipment.

The CMA CGM Marco Polo ship belongs to the French brand CMA CGM. The 190,000 ton vessel is 399 meters long and 54 meters wide, and is able to carry up to 17,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent unit).

According to maritime economists, if a trade deal between Vietnam and Europe is to be signed, along with the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) agreement that officially comes into force this month, CMIT will have the chance to welcome other super-large container ships just like the CMA CGM Marco Polo.

A corner of Cai Mep International Port in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, southern Vietnam, January 11, 2019. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Speaking at the ceremony held to welcome the docking of Marco Polo ship on Friday, Nguyen Van Trinh, Chairman of the Ba Ria - Vung Tau administration, affirmed that the provincial authorities would continue to focus on investing and upgrading the local infrastructure system and further reforming and simplifying administrative procedures to transform the CMIT into an ideal destination of shipping lines on the world.

CMIT general director Jan Bandstra expressed his hope and belief that following the footstep of CMA CGM Marco Polo more massive container ships will dock at CMIT.

“We believe that Vietnam will develop into an important center for international logistics and shipping soon”, said Bruno Gutton, general director of CMA CGM Vietnam.

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