Maersk keen to build smart deep-water ports in Vietnam

During his visit to the headquarters of AP Moller Maersk (Maersk) in Copenhagen, Denmark, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha engaged in a productive discussion with Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc about the company’s significant potential and opportunities in Vietnam.

Mr. Clerc expressed Maersk’s strong desire to contribute to Vietnam’s development, particularly through investments in large, modern deep-sea container ports and strategic logistics projects.

Deputy Prime Minister Ha highlighted Vietnam’s focus on its maritime economy as a key sector, emphasizing the crucial role of its port network in national defense and security and its strategic position on international shipping routes. He also noted Vietnam’s increasing integration into the global economy.

Vietnam prioritizes partnering with experienced and innovative companies like Maersk for the construction and operation of major ports such as Cai Mep, Lach Huyen, and Lien Chieu. "These partnerships should align with the country’s green and digital transformation goals, aiming to build green and smart ports that ensure competitive energy efficiency, services, and transportation costs,” he said.

Mr. Clerc affirmed that Maersk’s projects would facilitate import and export activities for Vietnamese businesses, connecting cargo sources and industrial parks nationwide. He also committed to boosting digital transformation and automation in smart port operations and emphasized the development of green shipping, utilizing green energy sources to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across all company operations by 2040.

Deputy Minister Ha encouraged Maersk to explore investments in green energy and green fuels, such as hydrogen and ammonia, and related energy infrastructure for green ports and vessels. He also suggested expanding investments in rail, inland waterways, and coastal logistics.