Logistics Breakthrough: Vietnam's Mekong Express Reduces Transit Time by 70%
DP World and VIMC Container Lines have officially launched the Mekong Express, a domestic coastal‑river container service linking Cai Mep Port in Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province with Cai Cui Port in Can Tho's Mekong Delta. Initiating operations on May 30 with twice‑weekly sailings, the service reduces cargo transit time from 48 hours on traditional river routes to just 15 hours—a nearly 70 percent improvement.
The new route shortens the distance traveled from approximately 367 km via inland waterways to around 200 km using a combined coastal and river approach. Capable of transporting several hundred TEUs per voyage, the service also supports refrigerated containers essential for Mekong Delta agricultural and seafood exports.
This initiative significantly enhances supply chain efficiency for southern Vietnam. The service is projected to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 60 percent compared with road transport. Real-time digital tracking and carbon-monitoring systems are in place, with the long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2026.
At the launch ceremony, DP World Asia Pacific CEO Glen Hilton emphasized Vietnam’s growing role in international trade, noting that the Mekong Express responds directly to the demand for reliable and efficient logistics across the country. Le Quang Trung, Vice President of VIMC and Chairman of the Board of Can Tho Port, described the service as a transformative step toward modernizing domestic shipping and strengthening supply chain resilience. Can Tho Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc He added that the new route bridges the Mekong Delta's rice and seafood hub with international markets via Cai Mep Port, easing pressure on road networks and cutting logistics costs.
Looking ahead, DP World and VIMC Lines plan to expand the route to include calls at Saigon Premier Container Terminal in Ho Chi Minh City and Hiep Phuoc Port, further integrating the Mekong Express into Vietnam’s coastal logistics network.
This launch marks a strategic advancement in Vietnam’s domestic shipping infrastructure. The Mekong Express not only speeds up transport and reduces emissions but also supports the country’s Cold Chain ambition and net-zero targets. It demonstrates growing global-local partnerships in enhancing maritime logistics, and it sets a precedent for future coastal‑river services across Vietnam, potentially in central and northern regions.
