Vietnam's CMIT handles largest container ship ever
On December 19, 2011, Cai Mep International Terminal(CMIT) welcomed the CMA CGM LAPEROUSE to the Cai Mep – Thi Vai Port Complex in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. Belonging to CMA CGM, the world’s third largest container shipping company, and with a nominal capacity of 13,830 TEU and DWT of 157,092, CMA CGM LAPEROUSE is the largest container vessel to ever call a Vietnamese port, APM Terminals press release said.
This is the second time that CMIT and CMA CGM together have worked to secure the regulatory permissions necessary to accept ever increasing container vessel sizes in Vietnamese Ports. Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong, Deputy Director of Vinamarine Do Hong Thai, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Provincial President Tran Minh Sanh, along with representative of the Vung Tau Port Authority, the Pilot and a number of VIP customers of CMA CGM were all present to welcome CMA CGM LAPEROUSE to Cai Mep.
CMA CGM LAPEROUSE is in transit from Asia to north Europe and the Cai Mep call is a precursor to the upgrade in size of all CMA CGM’s vessels calling in Cai Mep when the existing FAL3 call is replaced by the larger vessels operating on the FAL1 string in March 2012.
“With Cai Mep being the last load port in the future FAL1 rotation before sailing direct to Southampton, the need for deep water access and a terminal equipped to handle these leviathans has never been greater” said Jean-Charles Tassoni, General Director of CMA CGM Vietnam.
“We are delighted to be able to finally put to good use our super post-Panamax cranes which are designed and built specifically to handle vessels of this size” said Nguyen Xuan Ky, Deputy General Director of CMIT. “With the imminent delivery of our fifth super post Panamax quay crane in January 2012, CMIT will be ideally placed to handle these huge vessels while delivering world class berth productivity” he added.
“Ultra Large Container Ships of 14,000 TEU or larger are rapidly becoming the staple of the Asia-Europe trades and the call of CMA CGM LAPEROUSE to Cai Mep is clear demonstration of CMA CGM’s commitment to providing the very best transit times and service levels between Vietnam and north Europe” commented Mr. Tassoni.
“With the continuing flow of Ultra Large Container Ships into the Asia-Europe trades, we expect to see increasing demand for Vietnamese terminals equipped to handle this size of vessel” added Mr. Nguyen.
Cai Mep International Terminal Co., Ltd. (CMIT) was established on January 26, 2007 as a joint venture between the Vietnam-based Saigon Port, Vietnam National Shipping Lines and APM Terminals BV with 49%. CMIT is located strategically in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. This modern and efficient container terminal facility offers shipping lines and their clients fast and direct access to and from the main shipping markets in Asia, Europe and the Americas. It is CMIT’s policy to conduct its activities in a manner that protects the health and safety of its employees and communities.
APM Terminals offers an integrated Global Port, Terminal and Inland Services Network of 50 ports and terminals, and 122 inland facilities with 22,000 employees in 64 countries on five continents, with ten new terminal development or expansion projects currently underway. The liner shipping industry, served by APM Terminals and other operators, carries $4.6 trillion worth of international trade - approximately one third of the total value of global commerce.
CMA CGM is the world’s third largest container shipping company and is ranked number one in France. Operating a fleet of 400 vessels, the Group serves more than 420 ports around the world. In 2010, it carried 9 millions TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). With a presence on every continent and in 150 countries through its network of 650 agencies and branch offices, the Group employs 17,000 people worldwide.
