The opening of a new channel on the Soai Rap River leading to the Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has been marked with a ceremonious first navigation by a global box ship.
The Xutra Bhum, a vessel from the Mediterranean Shipping Company with a capacity of 2,378 TEUs and deadweight tonnage (dwt) of 30,832, sailed up the 54-kilometer-long channel to the SPCT in a special ceremony to mark the occasion.
The new Soai Rap channel makes DP World’s SPCT the deepest Ho Chi Minh City port. It enables faster navigation by halving steaming time to two hours, saving on pilotage and bunker fuel.
With a draft of 9.5 meters and a tidal rise of up to 3.4 meters, the channel doubles the size of vessels that can access the box terminal, allowing Panamax vessels to safely berth just 15 kilometers from the city.
SPCT can now handle vessels of 50,000 dwt, and vessels with 5,000-TEU capacity are expected to start using the channel in the coming weeks. There are also no nighttime restrictions.
“The new channel opens new opportunities for Vietnam, more efficiently connecting Ho Chi Minh City to global markets, which will bring long-term benefits to the country and to the community,” said Rashid Abdulla, DP World senior vice president and managing director of the Asia-Pacific region.
Tat Thanh Cang, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport Director, said the Soai Rap channel is expected to bring economic benefits to the southern part of Vietnam and help develop its surrounding areas.
Photo: Jon Ovington
