Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is making waves in Vietnam’s maritime landscape with substantial investment interests in Danang city’s Lien Chieu port. As one of the largest shipping lines globally, MSC’s foray into this project signals a pivotal moment for Vietnam’s burgeoning shipping industry.
During a meeting held in Switzerland, MSC group president Diego Aponte articulated the company’s vision and commitment to investing in this critical maritime gateway. His discussions with Vietnam’s Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC) highlighted MSC’s ambition to develop not just Lien Chieu port, but also the broader seaport and logistics network in the region. Aponte emphasized that MSC is considering a substantial investment that could reshape the maritime infrastructure in Vietnam.
Delegations from Swiss shipping line MSC and Vietnam’s Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC) at a meeting in Switzerland, October 3, 2024. Photo courtesy of the CMSC.
MSC is eyeing a variety of investment opportunities, including a five-star cruise line and enhancements to the domestic waterway network in Vietnam. Such investments would not only bolster MSC’s standing in Asia but also provide a significant boost to Vietnam’s maritime tourism and logistics capabilities.
CMSC vice chairman Nguyen Ngoc Canh acknowledged the strategic importance of Lien Chieu, describing it as a gateway that would connect Vietnam’s central region to global markets. Canh pointed out that MSC’s expertise and resources could elevate the Vietnamese seaport network into a modern, smart, and environmentally friendly facility, underscoring the importance of foreign investment in achieving national objectives.
The interest from MSC comes in the wake of other foreign businesses eyeing the $2 billion Lien Chieu seaport project. Prominent among these are Japan’s Sumitomo, which has expressed a keen interest in construction, and Indian conglomerate Adani, which is exploring investments across central Vietnam. Adani’s group chairman, Gautam Adani, indicated this interest while meeting Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during a recent state visit.
In September, another key player in the shipping industry, Denmark’s A.P. Moller Holding, signalled its intent to invest in large-scale deep-water container ports in Vietnam. Robert Maersk Uggla, chairman of A.P. Moller, reiterated the potential for strategic logistics projects while meeting with PM Chinh, thereby reinforcing Vietnam’s attractiveness as an investment destination in the maritime sector.
MSC is also regarded as a likely investor in the ambitious $5.5 billion Can Gio mega port located in Ho Chi Minh City. The project aims to construct vital transport and technical infrastructure, funded through a mix of state budget allocations and public-private partnerships (PPP). This mega port’s design includes a 7 km main pier, along with additional facilities spanning over 571 hectares, indicating the scale and significance of this endeavor.
Furthermore, MSC is looking into new large-scale transshipment port developments in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, as part of its broader commitment to enhance Vietnam’s maritime infrastructure.