This service route has been established through a collaboration between Hai Phong Port, Vietnam National Shipping Lines (VIMC), and the Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group, linking Beibu Gulf Port (Guangxi, China) – Hai Phong Port – Kolkata Port (India).
This event marks a significant milestone for the regional maritime industry, opening the door to strategic connectivity and robust trade opportunities between Vietnam, China, and India.
In particular, the event symbolizes a key step in strengthening economic, trade, and logistics cooperation between the cities of Guangxi and Hai Phong, as well as between Vietnam and China.
According to Mr. Lê Quang Trung, Deputy General Director of VIMC, “The Beibu Gulf – Hai Phong – Kolkata service is not only a new maritime route but also a strategic gateway that creates powerful trade development opportunities between Vietnam, China, and India.”
Mr. Trung added, “This service goes far beyond a simple shipping route. It reflects shifts in regional supply chains, changes in trade balance, and above all, the proactive seizing of opportunities by pioneering maritime enterprises.”
The direct connection from Hai Phong to Kolkata not only optimizes logistics costs and shortens transit times but also helps enhance corporate competitiveness and boosts import-export volumes among markets brimming with potential.
Mr. Liu Shengyou, General Director of Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Authority Group Co., Ltd., spoke at the ceremony.
Mr. Liu Shengyou, General Director of Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group Co., Ltd., also expressed confidence, saying the event marks a significant stride toward deepening port and logistics cooperation between Vietnam and China. It will promote economic and trade cooperation and foster friendly exchanges between the peoples of the two countries. Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group is a major state-owned enterprise in Guangxi. The container volume through Beibu Gulf Port is projected to exceed 10 million TEUs this year.
Mr. Huu noted, “In 2024, we signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with VIMC. Over the past year, both parties have closely collaborated with the logistics company under shipping conglomerate Zhonggu and other partners to successfully launch this service route, with one departure every three weeks.”
The route runs from Beibu Gulf Port (China) via Hai Phong Port (Vietnam) to Kolkata Port (India), connecting China’s Guangxi region with Northern Vietnam, Eastern India, and Bangladesh. This is the first public container shipping route launched between Beibu Gulf Port and Hai Phong Port.
Cargo includes exports from China such as glass, paper products, and energy storage batteries; and imports such as wood chips, starch, spices, sandstone, and food products.
Mr. Liu Thang Huu spoke at the ceremony:
“In 2024, China became Vietnam’s top trading partner with trade volume exceeding USD 200 billion, and Vietnam has been Guangxi’s largest trading partner for 26 consecutive years.”
A representative from Hai Phong Port said: “We trust in the potential of this public service route. It will support the harmonious growth of Beibu Gulf Port and Hai Phong Port, attract cargo from India to these two ports for transshipment, creating a new transport and trade corridor for provinces along China’s Belt & Road Western Maritime Corridor, as well as for industry in Vietnam and Eastern India.”
This new service route, launched at the Tan Vu Port Branch, is a bright sign in Hai Phong Port’s business operations. It is also evidence of service quality and customer confidence in both Tan Vu Branch and Hai Phong Port as a whole.
Going forward, Hai Phong Port will continue accelerating digital transformation, applying modern technology to operations, and improving customer service quality. Especially with berths 3 and 4 of the Hai Phong International Gateway Port at Lach Huyen coming online, this will be a key foundation for Hai Phong Port to achieve breakthrough growth, maintain its leading position in the North, and gradually reach international standards.