Gemalink port begins operations in Vietnam
Gemalink is a Joint Venture between French shipping company CMA CGM and Vietnamese port operator Gemadept.
By Vikram Malik, Maritime Direct India Correspondent
Gemalink international port in the Cai Mep – Thi Vai area of Vietnam has formally commenced operations by receiving its first vessel, the CMA CGM Corte Real. Prior to this, the port received two pilot ships from CMA CGM on December 30, 2020 and January 7, 2021 respectively, to test its overall functionality.
Gemalink lies in Phu My town in Vietnam’s southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. Covering 72 hectares in the downstream catchment area of Cai Mep River, it is the largest deep-sea container port in this region. The port has been designed to conveniently serve Ho Chi Minh City as well as the broader Mekong Delta region.
While the entire port project has an annual capacity of 2.4 million TEUs, this $330 million first phase is for 1.5 million TEUs a year. This phase will see a primary 800m berth for mother vessels along with a 260m side berth for feeder vessels, over a 33-hectare area.
Expressing confidence in the JV, Gemadept’s Vice Director, Nguyen Thanh Binh said “The firm’s sound relationship with its partners will keep the port busy at its maximum capacity right from its first year of operation.”
Below is a video of the first pilot ship – the CMA CGM Mexico, berthing at Gemalink port on December 30, 2020:
