APM Terminals’ Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT) welcomed the maiden call of the TP17 service deployed by 2M alliance, this week with the arrival of the vessel Seroja Lima.
The Seroja Lima loaded and discharged almost 3,000 teu at the Vietnamese terminal. The 2M Alliance deploys a fleet of more than 10 containerships with a capacity of up to 12,000 teu on the TP17 transpacific service.
The TP17 service, which connects Vietnam with the US East Coast, will increase the frequency of weekly mainline calls at CMIT, and increase the number of options for Vietnamese importers and exporters to optimise the cargo connection with key US markets. The United States is Vietnam’s third largest trade partner and foreign trade between two countries has been growing rapidly.
“Through our relentless effort to provide world-class service quality and the highest level in safety, we are proud to strengthen Cai Mep’s position on the world maritime map and contribute to improve the competitiveness for Vietnamese cargo”, said Jan Bandstra, CMIT general director.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, CMIT has maintained 24/7 operations, to facilitate a back-to-back schedule including five weekly mainline calls with vessels size 9,000 – 18,000 teu and around 150 barges and domestic vessels. This has been enabled through significant efforts to apply various measures to prevent the entry and spread of virus.
CMIT is a joint venture between Saigon Port (15%), Vietnam National Shipping Lines (36%) and APM Terminals (49%). CMIT is the largest terminal located 50 km South of Ho Chi Minh City and the terminal is capable of accommodating vessels lager than 18,000 teu.