Opening of Chu Lai to India shipping route

On the morning of May 16, Chu Lai International Port, Truong Hai International Transport and Logistics Company Limited (Thilogi) welcomed the Chana Bhum ship (Singaporean nationality, Regional Container Lines (RCL) shipping line). The event marked the beginning of the Chu Lai - India fixed shipping route (Kolkata, Kattupalli, Chennai, Nhava Sheva, Cochin, Mundra ports...).

Chana Bhum ship at Chu Lai port on the morning of May 16. Photo: Dac Thanh

The Chana Bhum ship transported nearly 800 containers of import and export goods including spare parts, garments, furniture, agricultural products, etc. of domestic enterprises to India and vice versa.

The Chu Lai - India route has a frequency of two trips per month, creating favorable conditions for enterprises to export goods to the Indian market and countries such as China, Korea, and Japan. This maritime route promotes production and development of agricultural products in the Central region, the Central Highlands, Southern Laos and Northern Cambodia.

Quang Nam Province Chairman Le Van Dung said that India is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in South Asia, accounting for nearly 80% of total export turnover to this region, of which agricultural products are the main commodity group.

According to the leader of Quang Nam province, the signing of cooperation between Chu Lai International Port and RCL Shipping Line, opening a fixed, direct Chu Lai - India maritime route, plays a very important role. "The shipping route not only shortens transportation time and reduces logistics costs, but also creates opportunities for the import and export of agricultural, industrial and auxiliary products of Quang Nam and neighboring areas," said Mr. Dung.

Thilogi representative signed a cooperation agreement with shipping company Regional Container Lines on the morning of May 16. Photo: Dac Thanh

Thilogi today announced the completion of dredging the Ky Ha waterway. The project is invested by Thaco. After completing the upgrade, the Ky Ha waterway meets technical requirements, reaching a depth of minus 9.3 m on the nautical chart, a width of 110 m on the bottom of the waterway, and a length of 11 km from buoy 0 to Chu Lai port. The waterway is capable of receiving ships with a capacity of 30,000 DTW.

Thilogi put two newly built tugs, Chu Lai Port 02, into operation. The tugs are nearly 27 m long, 8.1 m wide, and have a capacity of 2,200 HP, contributing to ensuring maritime safety for large-tonnage ships entering and leaving the port, improving the capacity and efficiency of the port's business operations.

According to the master plan for the development of Vietnam's seaport system in the period of 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, Chu Lai port will become a type I port. This is an international logistics center, an important import-export hub of the Central region, Central Highlands, Southern Laos, Northern Cambodia and Northeast Thailand. The port meets the target of cargo throughput through Quang Nam seaport reaching 8.5 - 10.3 million tons by 2030.

Dac Thanh