Vietnam is embarking on an ambitious project to build the Can Gio International Transshipment Port, with an estimated investment of nearly $5 billion. This port is expected to become the largest transshipment hub in Vietnam's maritime history, significantly boosting the country's logistics and trade capabilities.

Once completed, the Can Gio port will have the capacity to accommodate container ships weighing up to 250,000 DWT, which are among the largest in the world, capable of carrying approximately 24,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). The port's design aims for a projected capacity of 4.8 million TEU by 2030, eventually increasing to 16.9 million TEU by 2047. This capacity is nearly three times that of the current largest port in Vietnam, Cat Lai, which achieved a throughput of 5.8 million TEU in 2024.

Located at the mouth of the Cai Mép River in Ho Chi Minh City, the port will cover an area of approximately 571 hectares, equivalent to the size of West Lake. The project includes a 7.5 km long wharf designed to handle the world's largest container vessels, positioning Vietnam as a key player in the global shipping industry.

The Can Gio port is strategically situated less than 2 km from the Cai Mép-Thi Vai deep-water port complex, creating a significant logistics cluster in southern Vietnam. This development is expected to reduce logistics costs for Vietnamese exporters, who currently rely on third-party ports like Singapore and Malaysia for their shipments to Europe and North America.

Construction of the port is being undertaken by a consortium including the Vietnam Maritime Corporation, Saigon Newport Company, and Terminal Investment Limited Holding S.A., a member of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest container shipping line. MSC operates a network connecting 520 ports in over 155 countries, enhancing the port's appeal for international shipping routes.

Moreover, the project is designed with environmental considerations in mind, aiming for a green and smart operational model to minimize emissions and energy consumption. The Ho Chi Minh City authorities approved the investment plan for the Can Gio port on April 29, 2026, with plans to commence construction in the fourth quarter of 2026, targeting initial operations by 2030.