Chu Lai Port welcomes the Chana Bhum, a Singapore-flagged vessel operated by RCL, marking the opening of the Chu Lai–India shipping route. (Photo: VNA)
Chu Lai Port under Truong Hai International Logistics Limited Liability Company (THILOGI), a member of Truong Hai Group, and Regional Container Lines (RCL) - a Bangkok-based container shipping line – signed a cooperation agreement on launching a direct call service from Chu Lai to India on May 16.
The same day, Chu Lai Port welcomed the Chana Bhum, a Singapore-flagged vessel operated by RCL, marking the opening of the Chu Lai–India shipping route. The Chana Bhum carried nearly 800 containers of import and export goods, including spare parts, garments, furniture, and agricultural products, from Vietnam to India and vice versa.
India is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in South Asia, accounting for nearly 80% of total export turnover to this region with agricultural products being main commodity group.
There are two trips on the Chu Lai - India route monthly, creating favourable conditions for businesses to export goods to the Indian market and countries such as China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan; as well as promoting production and development of agricultural products in the central region and Central Highlands, Southern Laos and Northern Cambodia.
The direct call service helps cut transportation time, reduce costs, increase competitiveness by bypassing major transshipment ports in northern and southern Vietnam. At the same time, it opens up new trade opportunities, promotes logistics activities, develops supply chains, strengthens regional connectivity, and enhances the position of Chu Lai Port on the international maritime map.
Also on May 16, THILOGI held a ceremony to announce the completion of dredging the Ky Ha shipping channel.
After the dredging, the Ky Ha shipping channel meets technical requirements to receive ships with a capacity of 30,000 DTW.
Chu Lai International Port, located in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, the central province of Quang Nam, was constructed and put into operation in May 2012. The 140-ha port serves as a trade gateway for goods in central Vietnam and plays a key role in the multimodal transport model. It offers convenient connections to major railway stations, airports, and highways, and is a key hub on the East-West Economic Corridor.