HCMC LOOKS TO BREAK GROUND ON THREE MAJOR PORTS IN APRIL

A container truck operates at Gemalink International Port in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port complex in HCMC - PHOTO: VNA

HCMC – Work on three major seaport projects in HCMC will be launched late this month to mark Vietnam’s Reunification Day (April 30).

While investors want to break ground on these projects, the HCMC Department of Construction has warned that only one project is currently eligible for commencement, while the other two face significant regulatory bottlenecks. These projects are the Cai Mep Ha General and Container Port (Phase 1), the Gemadept-Terminal Link (Phase 2) and the Can Gio International Transshipment Hub.

Among the trio, the Cai Mep Gemadept-Terminal Link (Phase 2) is the only project cleared for its groundbreaking ceremony on April 17. Since the construction area lies entirely within previously leased land, the local authority has reached a consensus on the investor’s proposal to proceed.

This phase, with an investment of over VND8.3 trillion, will add nearly 300 meters of main berth to accommodate vessels up to 250,000 DWT, significantly expanding the terminal’s current handling capacity.

In contrast, the Cai Mep Ha General and Container Port (Phase 1) – a VND14.8 trillion project by a consortium including Geleximco and SCIC – faces a massive volume of pending paperwork.

Despite the investors’ target to start construction before April 30, authorities noted that the project lacks sufficient legal grounds for a full-scale commencement. The city has urged the consortium to urgently define project boundaries and complete all mandatory procedures by April 25, potentially allowing for only preliminary site preparation if land handover conditions are met.

Meanwhile, the Can Gio International Transshipment Hub, a five-billion-dollar project designed for a 21-million-TEU annual capacity, remains in the appraisal phase. The proposed launch ceremony and announcement of strategic partners on April 30 can only proceed once the project’s investment policy is officially approved.

A consortium comprising the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC), Saigon Port JSC, and Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A. submitted their project application in early March 2026, which is currently under appraisal by the HCMC Department of Finance.

According to the Department of Construction, the consortium has not yet received formal approval for the project’s investment policy. Consequently, the project’s launch ceremony and the official announcement of strategic partners may only proceed once the investment policy is ratified by the competent authorities.

Considering this, the Department of Construction has proposed that the HCMC People’s Committee grants in-principle approvals for the launch ceremony, contingent upon the consortium’s successful receipt of the investment policy. Furthermore, the Department of Finance has been urged to expedite the appraisal process and submit the investor selection results for final approval to ensure the project remains on schedule.

Source: The Saigon Times

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