The Lien Chieu Port project, with a planned capacity of 5.7 million TEUs and a total investment of USD 1.7 billion, is reshaping Central Vietnam’s supply chain structure through a multimodal connectivity model linking a deep-water port with intermodal rail transport. Backed by strategic partners such as APM Terminals and scheduled to begin operations in 2028, the mega port is expected to become one of Southeast Asia’s leading international container transshipment hubs by 2030.
An investment capital of VND 45.268 trillion and a designed capacity of 5.7 million TEUs annually are the defining figures of Lien Chieu Port, a key infrastructure project expected to fundamentally transform Central Vietnam’s position on the global container shipping map by the early 2030s.
The project is not merely a cargo handling infrastructure development but also a strategic partnership between Hateco Group and APM Terminals, a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based Maersk Group, enabling the port to accommodate ultra-large container vessels of up to 18,000 TEUs. Covering 172 hectares with 8 container berths totaling 2,750 meters in length, Lien Chieu is designed to become a strategic node within the global logistics network. The implementation roadmap has been clearly phased, with Phase 1 expected to commence construction in Q3 2026, focusing on the development of the first two berths and synchronized hinterland infrastructure for commercial operations starting in Q3 2028. Subsequent phases will gradually complete berths No. 3 through No. 8, alongside a barge terminal capable of handling domestic inland waterway vessels of up to 5,000 tons, creating an unprecedented multimodal logistics infrastructure for the region.
The project’s core differentiator lies in its “three-pillar” structure comprising a deep-water port, an intermodal railway connection, and an approved free trade zone. The integration of a rail freight yard directly connected to the national railway network will allow Lien Chieu to relieve pressure on existing port clusters, similar to the role played by Lach Huyen Port and Cai Mep – Thi Vai Port at the two ends of the country. However, economic realities suggest that infrastructure alone cannot generate an FDI boom without a symbiotic logistics ecosystem. Experts believe that instead of operating merely as a basic infrastructure facility vulnerable to incompatibility with multinational corporations’ management systems, Lien Chieu should evolve into a data-driven nucleus within the broader supply chain ecosystem.
For Vietnam’s supply chains, the emergence of this mega port creates a new “value-added layer,” helping sustain the country’s attractiveness as advantages related to low labor costs and a young workforce gradually approach their limits. Rather than remaining solely a manufacturing and processing base, Central Vietnam now has the opportunity to become an international container transshipment hub where cargo flows are optimized through standardized procedures and integrated data systems. Nevertheless, cybersecurity risks and fragmented data management remain major challenges that must be addressed to prevent businesses from operating with disconnected software platforms and increasingly complex workflows. Strategic investment in technology and digital infrastructure will ultimately determine whether Lien Chieu Port becomes a genuine turning point or simply another large-scale port in the region’s logistics development.
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