Vietnam urges CMA-CGM of France to spearhead eco-friendly maritime evolution

Deputy Prime Minister Encourages CMA-CGM to Invest in Green and Smart Seaport Projects

Hanoi - In a meeting with Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA-CGM Group, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha expressed his aspirations for the French shipping and logistics corporation to invest in eco-friendly and tech-savvy seaport projects.

During the May 27th meeting, Ha encouraged CMA-CGM to capitalize on the potential of inland waterway transport, which could foster innovation and technology transfer. He also emphasized the benefits of investing in infrastructure tailored to support the transition to renewable energy and green fuels.

Apirating CMA-CGM's operations in Vietnam over the past three decades, Ha noted that the Southeast Asian region and Asia as a whole have emerged as significant manufacturing hubs. This growth in demand for cargo shipping coincides with Vietnam's maritime economic development strategy, a key aspect of which proposes modern port infrastructure as a crucial foundation.

Vietnam has devised a comprehensive master plan for its seaport system, aiming to establish shipbuilding centers, eco-friendly ports, and a fleet capable of reaching regional waters. Key ports such as Cai Mep - Thi Vai, Can Gio, and Ca Mau have been designated as international transshipment hubs, leveraging Vietnam's strategic geographical location for global shipping routes. Central Vietnam's newly established or recently operational deepwater ports still hold considerable development potential.

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà hosts a reception for Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA-CGM Group, May 27 - VNA/VNS Photo

Ha highlighted that investing in green and smart seaports would provide port and logistics corporations, like CMA-CGM, with new competitive advantages as global emission regulations and carbon taxes grow more stringent.

Ha also reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to offering an open, attractive, and equitable investment environment for enterprises, particularly those with extensive experience and a solid reputation in the seaport and logistics sectors.

Regarding CMA-CGM's electric barge project, the Deputy PM emphasized the government's dedication to fostering integrated supply chains, from research and technology transfer to the production of equipment and vehicles for logistics and maritime transport infrastructure.

For his part, Saadé expressed admiration for Vietnam's socio-economic development and discussed key outcomes of the Group's cooperation in transport and logistics over its 30-year presence in the country. He also expressed hope for the government to continue supporting foreign businesses, including CMA-CGM, in expanding their footprint and contributing to local development. Saadé stated that CMA-CGM aims to support Vietnam's maritime services in expanding globally and capitalizing on the country's export advantages.

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà meets with Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA-CGM Group, a leading French shipping and logistics corporation. - VNA/VNS Photo

Present in 160 countries with nearly 300 shipping routes, CMA-CGM is working on implementing its electric barge project initially along Vietnam's inland waterways to optimize multimodal transport efficiency.

This news follows CMA-CGM's plan to invest $600 million in a new deep-water terminal in Haiphong, northern Vietnam. Scheduled to open in 2028, the terminal will have a capacity of 1.9 million TEUs, fostering industrial and logistics growth in the region.

These investments align with Vietnam's broader strategy to develop modern seaport infrastructure, green shipbuilding facilities, and expand its maritime transport fleet, harnessing the country's key geographical location for global trade.

The Deputy Prime Minister encourages CMA-CGM to invest in green and smart seaport projects, capitalizing on the potential of renewable energy and green fuels.
Ha envisions that investing in eco-friendly and tech-savvy seaport projects could foster innovation and technology transfer, support the transition to renewable energy, and provide competitive advantages.
The government is dedicated to offering an attractive investment environment, particularly for enterprises with expertise in the seaport and logistics sectors, like CMA-CGM.
A comprehensive master plan for Vietnam's seaport system aims to establish shipbuilding centers, eco-friendly ports, and a fleet capable of reaching regional waters, with key ports like Cai Mep - Thi Vai, Can Gio, and Ca Mau being designated as international transshipment hubs.
Investing in green and smart seaports aligns with growing global emission regulations and carbon taxes, offering competitive advantages to port and logistics corporations like CMA-CGM.
The Vietnamese government is committed to fostering integrated supply chains, from research to production of equipment and vehicles for logistics and maritime transport infrastructure.
CMA-CGM aims to support Vietnam's maritime services in expanding globally, leveraging the country's export advantages.
Present in 160 countries with nearly 300 shipping routes, CMA-CGM is working on implementing its electric barge project initially along Vietnam's inland waterways to optimize multimodal transport efficiency.
CMA-CGM's electric barge project is part of a broader strategy to harness Vietnam's key geographical location for global trade, as the company plans to invest $600 million in a new deep-water terminal in Haiphong, scheduled to open in 2028.
These investments in Vietnam, such as the deep-water terminal and the electric barge project, align with Vietnam's broader strategy to develop modern seaport infrastructure, green shipbuilding facilities, and expand its maritime transport fleet.