Vietnam’s Da Nang Set for Major Logistics Leap as APM Terminals, Hateco Seal $1.7bn Lien Chieu Port Deal
Strategic Infrastructure Push Targets Central Vietnam’s Trade Future
Da Nang is positioning itself for a transformative upgrade in regional logistics capacity following the signing of a landmark agreement between APM Terminals, Hateco Group, and city authorities to develop the Lien Chieu Container Port. The project, backed by an estimated investment exceeding $1.7 billion, is expected to significantly reshape the maritime and trade infrastructure of central Vietnam.
The agreement was formalised during a ceremony in Da Nang attended by senior government officials and global shipping industry leaders, including Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc. The development is being hailed as one of the most ambitious port infrastructure projects in Vietnam’s recent history.
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| APM Terminals Da Nang CEO of A. P. Moller-Maersk Vincent Clerc with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Gia Túc at the 25 April ceremony. (Interpreter also present.) |
The Lien Chieu Container Port will be developed in phases, beginning with Berths 1 and 2, before expanding to a total of eight container berths. Once fully operational, the terminal is projected to handle more than 5.7 million TEU annually, placing it among the region’s most significant maritime hubs.
The facility will also be capable of accommodating ultra-large container vessels of up to 18,000 TEUs, reinforcing Da Nang’s ambition to serve as central Vietnam’s primary deep-water gateway.
APM Terminals and Hateco Group will jointly invest in civil infrastructure and port equipment, leveraging infrastructure already developed by Da Nang City to accelerate implementation. The terminal is targeted to become operational in early 2029.
Regional Connectivity and Economic Integration
A key feature of the project is its integration into a wider logistics ecosystem. The port is designed to connect seamlessly with warehouses, industrial parks, rail systems, inland transport networks, and the Da Nang Free Trade Zone.
This multimodal connectivity is expected to reduce logistics costs, ease congestion at existing facilities, and strengthen trade flows across Vietnam and neighbouring economies including Laos, Cambodia, eastern Thailand, and Myanmar.
Officials say the project aligns closely with Vietnam’s National Strategy for Logistics Development and the country’s Seaport Development Plan, which identifies Da Nang as one of four strategically prioritised logistics hubs.
Leadership Views on Long-Term Economic Impact
Speaking at the ceremony, APM Terminals CEO Keith Svendsen described the project as a long-term investment in trade efficiency and regional economic growth. He emphasised the importance of combining APM Terminals’ global operational expertise with local knowledge from Hateco Group to build a resilient and efficient logistics platform.
According to him, the partnership aims to enhance reliability for shipping lines, improve turnaround times for trucks and vessels, and strengthen overall supply chain performance across the region.
Chairman of Hateco Group, Tran Van Ky, also underscored the significance of the collaboration, noting that the partnership has already demonstrated strong results in previous port developments in Vietnam. He added that the combination of international standards and local execution capacity would accelerate Da Nang’s emergence as a central economic hub.
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| Digital rendition of the new Da Nang terminal as it will look when phase 1 is completed. |
The Lien Chieu Container Port is part of a broader vision to develop Da Nang into a fully integrated logistics centre capable of attracting international trade and investment. By creating a modern, high-capacity gateway, the project is expected to support industrial expansion and improve Vietnam’s competitiveness in global supply chains.
It also builds on APM Terminals’ growing footprint in the country, including its joint venture at the Hateco Hai Phong International Container Terminal, which became operational in 2025 and has been cited as a model for efficient port operations.
Outlook: Construction Phase and Regional Expectations
With agreements now in place, attention is shifting toward the design and construction phase of the Lien Chieu project. Stakeholders have expressed confidence that the development will not only enhance Da Nang’s maritime capacity but also strengthen Vietnam’s position as a critical logistics gateway in Southeast Asia.
If delivered as planned, the port is expected to become a key driver of trade expansion, industrial investment, and cross-border economic integration across the wider Mekong sub-region.