Cai Mep Thi Vai Port will soon gain a new international terminal with a designed capacity of up to 16 million tonnes of cargo per year. The project spans more than 80 hectares with total investment of nearly VND 6,900 billion, including 8 berths capable of accommodating vessels of 60,000 to 100,000 DWT, along with nearly 200,000 m² of logistics yard and warehousing space. The project will be developed in two phases through 2034, with phase one expected to come online in less than a year.
Why Does Cai Mep Thi Vai Port Matter to Import-Export Businesses?
Logistics costs currently account for 14-16% of GDP in Vietnam — significantly higher than in many regional peers. One reason is that seaport infrastructure in key regions has yet to keep pace with demand, leading to localized congestion and rising handling and storage costs during peak season. Adding a large-capacity port at Cai Mep Thi Vai, capable of receiving high-tonnage vessels, will ease pressure on existing ports while allowing major shipping lines to call directly without transshipping through a third country.
According to Wikipedia’s entry on container ports, the capacity to receive large-tonnage vessels is a decisive factor in a seaport’s standing within the global shipping chain — deep-water ports like Cai Mep Thi Vai are becoming increasingly pivotal as the average size of container ships worldwide keeps growing.
Concrete Impact on Import-Export Cargo
- Shorter shipping times: large-tonnage vessels calling directly at Cai Mep Thi Vai reduce the number of transshipments.
- Lower logistics costs: synchronized logistics yard infrastructure helps reduce storage and handling costs.
- Greater competitiveness for Vietnamese goods as shipping time and cost are optimized, especially for export goods requiring fast delivery.
Data from the first half of 2026 shows cargo volume through the Cai Mep Thi Vai port area rose 7.3% year-on-year — reflecting the increasingly urgent need for modern seaport infrastructure. This is also a positive outcome of the recently proposed coastal logistics incentive policies.
Cai Mep Thi Vai Port in the Regional Port Landscape
Compared with other deep-water ports in Southeast Asia, Cai Mep Thi Vai Port holds a location advantage close to the major industrial zones of the Southeast region — home to the bulk of the country’s manufacturing and export activity. Shortening the inland transport distance from factory to port helps businesses further reduce domestic logistics costs, compounding the benefit of the port’s large-vessel handling capacity.
As a Sea Freight and Customs Brokerage service provider, Connect Global regularly tracks the operating capacity of Cai Mep Thi Vai and other key ports to advise on the most optimal shipping routes — ensuring both schedule reliability and cost savings for customers. Contact our consulting team for a detailed quote.
What International Shippers Should Know About Cai Mep Thi Vai Port
Foreign importers and exporters routing cargo through Vietnam increasingly ask freight forwarders whether a shipment can move directly through the new terminal rather than transshipping via Singapore or Hong Kong. Direct calls at this deep-water terminal can shave several days off transit time for large-tonnage vessels serving North America and Europe.
When comparing quotes, international shippers should ask whether a carrier’s vessel network already calls at the port directly, since indirect routings through smaller feeder ports can offset much of the cost savings this new capacity is designed to deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cai Mep Thi Vai Port
What vessel sizes can the new terminal handle? The expanded terminal is designed for vessels between 60,000 and 100,000 DWT, putting it in line with major deep-water ports across Southeast Asia.
When will the new capacity be available? The project is being developed in two phases through 2034, with the first phase expected to come online in under a year.
Does Connect Global route shipments through this port? Yes — Connect Global tracks capacity at Cai Mep Thi Vai and other key Vietnamese ports to advise clients on the most cost-efficient routing for their cargo.
