DP World, a leading global port operator, has officially launched the Mekong Express, a new domestic sea-river transport route in Vietnam. This initiative is a partnership with VIMC Container Lines Joint Stock Company (VIMC Lines), a subsidiary of the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC).
Mekong Express
A new barge service, the Mekong Express, has officially launched in Vietnam, promising to significantly reduce transit times and carbon emissions for cargo movement. Operating twice a week, the service slashes transit times from 48 hours (via traditional river routes) to just 15 hours by combining river and sea routes, representing a remarkable 70% improvement. This efficiency gain is largely due to the coastal route being significantly shorter, at approximately 200 km, compared to the previous 367 km river journey, making it a faster, more sustainable, and cost-effective solution for cargo owners across Vietnam.
The Mekong Express completed its inaugural journey today, marked by a ceremony attended by notable figures including Mr. Eisa Alhammadi from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy in Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc He, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Can Tho City, and senior executives from both DP World and VIMC Lines.
Designed to support both dry and cold chain logistics, the Mekong Express boasts a capacity of up to several hundred TEUs per voyage and is capable of handling a large number of refrigerated containers. The partners, DP World and VIMC Lines, have ambitious plans to expand the route to include calls at the Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT), operated by DP World, and Saigon Hiep Phuoc Port under the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC).
Beyond its efficiency benefits, the new service is also a more sustainable alternative to road transport, generating an impressive 60% less carbon emissions. Equipped with real-time digital cargo tracking and carbon monitoring, DP World and VIMC Lines are aiming for the service to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2026.
Glen Hilton, CEO & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, DP World, emphasized the strategic importance of this launch: “DP World is committed to building a seamless, integrated supply chain ecosystem in Vietnam, an increasingly important market for trade in the Asia Pacific region and globally. With the Mekong Express, we are responding to demand for a more efficient and reliable service. This will help support economic development not just within southern Vietnam but throughout the country. The launch of this new coastal logistics service also marks a major step in our expansion in Vietnam, complementing our ongoing operation of Saigon Premier Container Terminal.”
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Source: DP World
