8,272-TEU Albert Maersk biggest ever ship to call at Saigon

SP-PSA International Port, a joint venture between Saigon Port, Vinalines and PSA International's subsidiary PSA Vietnam Pte Ltd, has received the 8,272-TEU Albert Maersk making a trial call at the port.

The Maersk 352-metre, 109,000 ton vessel, the largest ever to call, docked at the new deep-sea terminal that opened last May before the Danish shipping giant commences services linking Vietnam to Europe and North America, reported Viet Nam News agency.

"It is a great honour for SP-PSA to handle the successful trial call of the Albert Maersk," said Saigon port chairman and general director Le Cong Minh. "We hope this call heralds the start of new direct shipping services for Vietnam."

"This is a great milestone for us," said Maersk Line Vietnam and Cambodia general director Peter Smidt-Nielsen. "Vietnam is an emerging market with significant growth as a sourcing location. We are confident that Vietnamese exporters and importers will welcome the increased opportunities when our big ships call from here to the West."

Near the mouth of the Cai Mep-Thi Vai River, the terminal will be developed over two phases, with the completed first stage of 600 metres of berth with 14.5 metres depth alongside. When both phases are done there will be 1,200 metres of berths, providing an annual capacity of two million TEU, the report added.

(Source: www.schednet.com)