Opening up opportunities from Hai Phong - US seaport cooperation

Transporting large container ships directly from Hai Phong to ports in the United States and vice versa not only affirms the capacity of seaport infrastructure but also opens up opportunities for sustainable trade cooperation between the two sides of the Pacific.

Hateco Hai Phong International Container Port can accommodate the world's largest ships and sail to ports on the East and West coasts of the United States. Photo: HTC

Transpacific shipping

In February 2025, at Hateco International Container Terminal (HHIT) of Hai Phong International Gateway Port (Lach Huyen Port Area), the 366 m long, 155,000 DWT vessel M/V MCS Aurora docked. This is the mother ship of the Chinook service route, directly connecting Hai Phong with major ports in the United States and Canada.

From the port, export goods from the North of our country can be transported directly to the final port, without having to transit through Singapore or Hong Kong. This helps businesses save significant costs, shorten the journey, and improve competitiveness.

Three months later, in May 2025, Tan Cang Hai Phong International Container Terminal (TC-HICT) continued to make its mark with the ZIM Falcon vessel, the first vessel of ZIM shipping line to operate the ZIM E-Commerce Express (ZEX) service route across the Pacific connecting directly to the West Coast of the United States.

This route shortens the shipping time from Hai Phong to Los Angeles (USA) to about 17 days. This is a great advantage for Vietnam's key export industries such as electronics, textiles, footwear, agricultural products, areas that always require accurate delivery progress.

In view of the wide-open opportunities for cooperation in port operations between Hai Phong and US port enterprises, the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority (HEZA) in coordination with the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) under the US Department of Commerce organized a workshop on “Cooperation in Port Operations: Vietnam - US” on September 11 and 12.

At the workshop, Mr. Bui Ngoc Nam, Deputy Director of Hai Phong Port Authority affirmed: “Welcoming direct shipping routes to the United States shows that Hai Phong seaport capacity has reached international level. This is an opportunity for the city to become a strategic transit point, helping Vietnamese enterprises effectively exploit the US market.”

Comrade Le Trung Kien, member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee, Head of the Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Board, discussed with the US representative on the sidelines of the workshop "Cooperation on Seaport Activities: Vietnam - United States"

Mr. Erik Wehl, public-private partnership (PPP) expert, Chairman of the Ports Division of the Global PPP Association (WAPPP) said: “Direct connection with Hai Phong brings mutual benefits. US businesses have more stable sources of goods, while Vietnamese businesses reduce time and logistics costs, increasing transparency in the supply chain.”

Advances in port cooperation between Vietnam and US port businesses not only open up new trade opportunities, but also affirm Hai Phong's determination to become an international logistics center.

As trans-Pacific shipping routes are maintained stably, the Port City is increasingly consolidating its position as the gateway to the sea of ​​the North, making an important contribution to the goal of making Vietnam a reliable link in the global supply chain.

Connecting the global supply chain

Along with the opening of new shipping routes, Hai Phong seaport continues to affirm its increasingly high position in the global seaport system. According to the Lloyd's List ranking announced in September 2025, Hai Phong seaport ranked 29th in the Top 100 largest container ports in the world, reaching a throughput of about 7.1 million TEU/year. This is the leading position in the North, behind Ho Chi Minh City seaport (22nd with nearly 9.1 million TEU).

With the advantage of the largest deep-water port in the North, the ports at Lach Huyen Wharf Area attract many large shipping lines in the world.

Hai Phong seaport has made an important mark on the international maritime map, in the global supply chain. Lach Huyen deep-water port system currently has 6 operating wharves, capable of receiving ships with a capacity of more than 130,000 DWT. According to the plan, by 2030, the port cluster will expand to 13-16 wharves, with a capacity of 61.4 - 90 million tons/year. With a wharf length of more than 6 km and advanced management technology, Hai Phong seaport is capable of competing with leading transit ports in Southeast Asia.

In particular, HHIT's two terminals No. 5 and 6 are equipped with modern technology including electric STS cranes with a reach of 24 containers, electric RTG cranes, NAVIS N4 management system, ERP IFS Cloud, OCR recognition technology integrated with AI, TAS vehicle scheduling system, 24/7 surveillance cameras and private 5G network. This is an important foundation for Hai Phong to soon form a smart port model, a green port, in line with the world's sustainable development trend.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Thang, representative of Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company shared at the Vietnam-US seaport cooperation workshop: “Previously, goods going to the US had to be transited, which was both costly and time-consuming. Now with the direct route, businesses save a lot of money each year, and at the same time are more proactive, delivering goods on time. This is truly a turning point for exports. Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company is gradually modernizing to meet the needs of seaport services for large enterprises, including US enterprises.”

At meetings with the city, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Xuan Sang suggested that Hai Phong should accelerate investment in connecting projects such as Tan Vu - Lach Huyen 2 Bridge, Ring Road 2, and at the same time build duty-free zones, warehouses, and satellite dry ports. When the infrastructure is synchronized, Hai Phong will not only serve domestic import and export goods, but also be able to attract transit goods from the region, becoming an international maritime gateway.

From the location advantages, the development of the city shows that the seaport cooperation between Hai Phong and US port enterprises will become an important driving force to promote bilateral trade relations. Direct transport routes not only shorten the geographical distance but also strengthen the trust in a safe, efficient and sustainable supply chain.

To become an international transit port, Hai Phong proactively overcomes some limitations in road traffic connecting to seaports, because the main traffic routes are currently under great pressure and are often congested. In addition, the lack of logistics areas behind the port, satellite dry ports and limitations in ship turning basins are also "bottlenecks" that need to be resolved.

HAI MINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/rong-mo-co-hoi-tu-hop-tac-cang-bien-hai-phong-hoa-ky-520623.html