A new domestic sea-river logistics route called the Mekong Express, officially launched on May 30, is offering a faster and more sustainable transport option between Cai Mep and Can Tho. The service, jointly operated by DP World and VIMC Container Lines Joint Stock Company (VIMC Lines), is expected to reduce transit time by nearly 70 percent, from 48 hours to just 15.

The service launch was attended by (from left to right): Le Quang Trung, Deputy CEO of VIMC, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Can Tho Port Joint Stock Company; Nguyen Ngoc He, Member of the Party Committee of Can Tho City and Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Can Tho City; Eisa Alhammadi, Charge d’affairs of the UAE Embassy in Vietnam; Xavier Eiglier, Executive Vice President, Southeast Asia of DP World; and Benoit Klein, Vice President, Port Logistics, Southeast Asia of DP World.

Operating twice a week, the Mekong Express utilizes a combined coastal and river route spanning approximately 200 kilometers—significantly shorter than the traditional 367-kilometer inland waterway journey. The service is designed to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and lower carbon emissions for cargo owners moving goods between two of southern Vietnam’s key economic centers.

The inaugural sailing was marked by a launch ceremony attended by representatives from the UAE Embassy in Vietnam, the Can Tho City People’s Committee, and senior executives from both DP World and VIMC Lines.

Capable of carrying several hundred twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per voyage—including refrigerated containers—the Mekong Express supports both dry and cold chain logistics. Future plans include extending the route to incorporate stops at the Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT), operated by DP World, and Saigon Hiep Phuoc Port, managed by Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC).

The service offers an environmentally friendly alternative to road transport, cutting carbon emissions by an estimated 60 percent. DP World and VIMC Lines are equipping the service with real-time digital tracking and carbon monitoring technologies, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2026.

“We see strong demand for more efficient and reliable logistics solutions in Vietnam, and the Mekong Express responds directly to that need,” said Glen Hilton, CEO & Managing Director for Asia Pacific at DP World. “This launch is an important step in our ongoing investment in Vietnam’s logistics sector and will support broader economic development across the country.”

Le Quang Trung, Deputy CEO of VIMC and Chairman of Can Tho Port Joint Stock Company, emphasized the importance of the partnership. “This new service reflects our commitment to innovation and operational excellence in domestic logistics,” he said. “Together with DP World, we aim to expand international cooperation and enhance the resilience of Vietnam’s supply chains.”