Work starts on $2bn container terminal in Da Nang

The project, invested by a consortium of Hateco Group, Hateco Seaport Company and APM Terminals B.V. of the Netherlands, will be executed over a 10-year period from 2026 to 2036, divided into three phases.

Designed to meet international standards, the Lien Chieu container terminal will feature eight berths spanning a total length of 2,750 meters.

The terminal is capable of accommodating vessels of up to 18,000 TEU and will have a projected annual capacity of 5.7 million TEU, equivalent to roughly 74 million metric tons of cargo.

Within three years of its initial operational phase, throughput is expected to reach some four million TEU annually.

Strategically located along international maritime routes, the mammoth terminal sits at the terminus of the East-West Economic Corridor, a critical trade axis linking Vietnam with Southeast Asia and the Mekong subregion.

Beyond its function as a seaport, Lien Chieu container terminal is envisioned as a comprehensive logistics ecosystem, including integrated barge terminals, warehousing, customs inspection facilities, and container handling services, all connected directly to the national railway network to facilitate multimodal transport.

Tran Van Ky, a representative from the consortium, said that the terminal will adopt a ‘green and smart port’ model, incorporating advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize operations.

Automation systems, clean energy usage, and ecofriendly equipment are expected to reduce emissions and align with both domestic and international environmental standards, positioning the terminal within global green supply chains.

Chairman of the municipal administration Nguyen Manh Hung described the project as a strategic collaboration between public investment and private sector commitment, in line with national policies promoting private economic development.

He emphasized that the terminal would serve as a catalyst for the city’s growth, helping to complete a modern logistics network while reducing transportation costs for businesses.

Also, the project is expected to support sustainable urban expansion, separating cargo traffic from tourism flows and reinforcing Da Nang’s role as an international gateway.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc highlighted the project as a milestone in implementing Vietnam’s strategy for sustainable marine economic development.

He noted that the terminal would stimulate logistics services, industrial growth, and port-based urbanization, while also strengthening national defense and enhancing the country’s global standing.