Maersk Line’s Margrethe Maersk becomes the largest vessel to call Vietnam

On 20 February 2017 the Margrethe Maersk called at the Cai Mep International Terminal, becoming the largest vessel to call Vietnam. Capable of carrying 18,000 TEU (20 foot containers) Margrethe Maersk is part of the ‘Triple E’ class of vessels, the largest vessel in Maersk Line’s fleet.

Welcoming the vessel at an event at the port was Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh, Member of Party Central Committee, BRVT Provincial Party Chief, Mr. Nguyễn Van Cong, Vice Transport Minister, Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, Vice Provincial Party Chief, Mr. Nguyen Van Trinh, Leader of the Provincial People’s Committee and Mr. Nguyen Xuân Sang, Chief Administrator of Vinamarine.

“We believe in the Vietnamese economy and have done so since 1923 when the first Maersk vessel called Vietnam” said Giang Nguyen, Managing Director for Maersk Line Vietnam and Cambodia. 

Vietnam, 20 February 2017 – On Monday, 20 February 2017, the Margrethe Maersk called at the Cai Mep International Terminal in Vietnam, becoming the largest vessel to call a Vietnamese port. Capable of carrying 18,000 TEU (20 foot containers) the Margrethe Maersk is one of Maersk Line’s Triple E vessels and the largest vessel in Maersk Line’s fleet. This port call is part of a trial process to determine the feasibility of Maersk Line’s Triple E vessels calling Vietnam as part of Maersk Line’s regular schedule. Attendees at an event welcoming the vessel included Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh, Member of Party Central Committee, BRVT Provincial Party Chief, Mr. Nguyễn Van Cong, Vice Transport Minister, Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, Vice Provincial Party Chief, Mr. Nguyen Van Trinh, Leader of the Provincial People’s Committee and Mr. Nguyen Xuân Sang, Chief Administrator of Vinamarine.

“We believe in the Vietnamese economy and have done so since 1923 when the first Maersk vessel called Vietnam” said Giang Nguyen, Managing Director for Maersk Line Vietnam and Cambodia. “Over the past five years we have seen 8% -10% growth and project that GDP will increase by 6.5%% on average until 2020.”

Trade between Vietnam and North Europe has grown by 35% in five years and represents Vietnam’s second largest long-haul trading partner. The Margrethe Maersk will be discharging cargo from Northern Europe, bound for Vietnam and other Asian countries.

“The success of this port call trial is a testament not only to the strength of the Vietnamese economy, but to the positive steps the government has made in terms of both policy and infrastructure. We applaud the Ministry of Transport, Vung Tau Port and APM Terminals for undertaking the upgrades necessary to accommodate these larger vessels” said Ms. Nguyen.

The Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT) is a joint venture between Vinalines, Saigon Port and APM Terminals with 36%, 15% and 49% ownership respectively.

“The arrival of the Margrethe Maersk is a major milestone for CMIT and for Vietnam, as it demonstrates that this Terminal can also serve as a regional transhipment hub for Southeast Asian cargoes, particularly destined for the Vietnam/Northern Europe trade lane” noted CMIT Managing Director Robert Hambleton.

Maersk Line makes 13 port calls in Vietnam each week, connecting consumers to goods, businesses to markets and enabling global trade. Through Maersk Line’s network, Vietnam has access to 94 countries around the world.

About Maersk Line

Maersk Line is the world’s largest container shipping company, known for reliable, flexible and eco-efficient services. We provide ocean transportation in all parts of the world. We serve our customers through 324 offices in 115 countries. We employ 7,600 seafarers and 22,400 land-based employees and operate 605 container vessels. We market our services through the Maersk Line, Safmarine, SeaLand (Intra-Americas), MCC Transport (Intra-Asia) and Seago Line (Intra-Europe) brands.

Maersk Line is part of the Maersk Group, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Group employs over 88,000 people in some 130 countries. 2016 revenue: USD 35.5 billion.

About APM Terminals

APM Terminals is a leading global port operator with a presence in 69 countries with 72 container terminals and 140 inland services facilities providing the world’s most geographically balanced global terminal network. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, APM Terminals works with shipping lines, importers/exporters, governments, business leaders and the entire global supply chain to provide solutions that help nations achieve their ambitions and business reach their performance goals.