Damco Look To Vietnam For Future Freight And Logistics Increase

VIETNAM – It seems it is not only the Chinese who view the countries of the Greater Mekong region as the freight growth area of the future. This week Damco, the AP Moeller Maersk subsidiary, have announced they are to invest over $ 4 million in a new integrated logistics centre at Binh Duong, 25 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City.

The logistics centre will serve both Cat Lai port and Cai Mep port and is well-connected by road transport. A plan to link the facility to barge infrastructure as an alternative to truck transport is also in place, allowing customers to reduce overall transportation costs and carbon emissions. The facility will be C-TPAT certified and offers consolidation, bonded, domestic and general warehouse services. It is scheduled to be ready by April 2011.

Built by Thai Binh Shoes Logistics (TBSL). The26,000 square metre facility will support Damco’s growth strategy as it looks to strengthen its network presence in Vietnam, with nine existing sites totalling 37,000 square metres of warehouse facilities at key gateways nationwide.

Tony Hotine, Chief Executive of Damco, Asia Pacific commented:

“Vietnam is a key market for Damco and we will continue to invest in infrastructure, technology and people to support the increasing demands from our customers here. We have taken active roles to support the advancement of the domestic logistics industry by working with private and government sectors to improve supply chain efficiency.”

With a total area of 230,000 square metres in Di An District, Binh Duong province in Vietnam, TBSL has built container yards, offices and two warehouses. Its C-TPAT certified warehouses are equipped with modern security, fire and technology systems. Besides a new 26,000 square metres warehouse for Damco, TBA Logistics intends to complete construction of another four new warehouses with a total area of 17,000 square metres.Its transport activities include operation of cargo barges in Cat Lai and Cai Mep ports in Vietnam.

Photo: Cat Lai, Vietnam’s largest port.