VIMC: Shaping New Position in Vietnam-U.S. Supply Chain

As the global supply chain undergoes profound restructuring in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical shifts, Vietnam is increasingly emerging as a key link in the international trade network. Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC), with its fully integrated ecosystem of shipping, seaport and logistics services, is actively expanding cooperation with U.S. partners, thus not only elevating its role in global supply chains but also enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnam’s logistics sector.

Mr. Le Quang Trung, Deputy General Director of VIMC, is among the Vietnamese delegation at the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2025

Sailing ahead with proactivity and determination

Mr. Le Quang Trung, Deputy General Director of VIMC, said: Over the past three decades (1995-2025), VIMC has affirmed its core role in the national logistics and maritime transport ecosystem. With a spirit of initiative and relentless effort, VIMC has steadily expanded its global connectivity network and modernized its maritime supply chain.

Notably, VIMC has effectively promoted its three strategic pillars: Operating a port system with 16 seaports located in major economic hubs across all three regions - key gateways for Vietnam’s imports and exports to the world; managing a fleet with a total deadweight of nearly 1.5 million tons, transporting diverse commodities and containers and ensuring smooth trade flows through the maritime transport system; and developing a nationwide integrated logistics network that acts as the lifeblood of the economy. These three pillars have solidified VIMC’s leading position in logistics, transportation and supply chain fields, hence driving stronger trade connectivity between Vietnam and the world.

In 2024, VIMC made outstanding impressions, featured by total cargo volume handled through its seaport system reaching 145 million metric tons (a 27% increase compared to 2023), with the container throughput of 6.2 million TEUs; the consolidated total revenue of VND24,813 billion (35% above the plan); and the post-tax profit of VND3,510 billion (up 65%). Over the past five years, VIMC’s total profit surpassed VND15,000 billion, an impressive figure among state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Particularly, VIMC launched 10 new container service routes connecting Vietnam and Europe, and its port network now serves all of the world’s Top 10 shipping lines.

Mr. Trung emphasized: “VIMC remains steadfast in fulfilling strategic missions, surpassing targets while preserving and growing state capital efficiently. This foundation gives us the confidence to pursue our 2030 goal of becoming a leading maritime firm in Vietnam and leaving our mark on the global maritime map.”

VIMC’s shipping fleet and container operations

New opportunities from the far side of the Pacific

After 30 years of diplomatic relations, 10 years as Comprehensive Partners, and two years upgraded to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Vietnam-U.S. relations continue to deepen. In particular, economics, trade and investment are now the central pillars of bilateral ties. In 2024, two-way trade reached nearly US$150 billion, with the U.S. being Vietnam’s second-largest trade partner and top export market.

Contributing to this overall achievement, VIMC has played a pioneering role in connecting Vietnam with both the East and West coasts of the U.S. through Trans-Pacific shipping routes. Sea transport accounts for 80% of Vietnam’s import-export cargo volume, he said. However, about 90% of Trans-Pacific routes are still operated by foreign shipping lines. Therefore, VIMC has repeatedly proposed that the government soon establish a national fleet under a Vietnamese brand to actively participate in this strategic trade route.

In recent years, VIMC’s subsidiaries have handled around 30% of Vietnam-U.S. import and export cargo, with VIMC’s CMIT and SSIT ports receiving up to 70% of exported goods. VIMC also operates two joint ventures with U.S. partners at SSIT Terminal (Ba Ria–Vung Tau, now incorporated into Ho Chi Minh City) and CICT Terminal (Quang Ninh province) and works closely with SSA Group in port operations. The corporation is also studying to expand strategic cooperation forms to enhance port operation capacity and logistics service capabilities at key ports while enhancing cooperation with major partners such as Ashley Furniture and OEC Group.

With a long-term vision, not only does VIMC position itself as a transporter but also as an “architect” of the Vietnam-U.S. supply chain, thus becoming more efficient, more sustainable and greener.

SP-SSA International Terminal (SSIT) is a joint venture established in 2006 between Vietnam Maritime Corporation, Saigon Port, and SSA Marine of the United States

Supply chain connectivity initiatives

Attending the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2025 in Maryland (U.S.), VIMC continued to assert its pioneering role in connecting global supply chains and seeking investment and business opportunities in the U.S. market. During the summit, the corporation worked with its partners such as OEC Group to explore the development of a VIMC Logistics Center in the U.S. and participated in the “Connect with Vietnam” event alongside the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, U.S. EXIM Bank and many giant firms.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Trung highlighted the strategic importance of long-term investment in Vietnam’s deep-water ports such as Lach Huyen Port (Hai Phong), Lien Chieu Port (Da Nang) and Can Gio International Transshipment Port (Ho Chi Minh City) and called for preferential financing from U.S. EXIM Bank to carry out these important projects.

VIMC announced plans to expand SSIT Terminal (Phase 2) with an area of nearly 30 ha and over 600 meters of wharf length, develop Lien Chieu Port, and especially invest in the Can Gio International Transshipment Port, an a 16-million-TEU project expected to become a key maritime gateway linking Vietnam to Europe. VIMC expressed its readiness to partner with U.S. port operators or purchase equipment from U.S. suppliers if it receives appropriate policy support from both governments.

Additionally, VIMC proposed building specialized logistics centers- VIETNAM HOUSE LOGISTICS CENTERS - in the U.S. to optimize warehouse management and supply chains, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese export-import goods. Leveraged by advanced technology and high-quality human resources, VIMC aims to establish a port - shipping - logistics connectivity system between the two countries through the “Port Interlinks” Initiative while applying artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate digital transformation and promote two-way trade.

VIMC’s proposals at SelectUSA 2025 not only seek to attract capital and technology from the U.S. but also help realize the corporation’s goal of becoming a leading logistics hub in the region and playing an enabling role in lifting Vietnam’s position in the global supply chain. The presence of VIMC at SelectUSA 2025 marks not only a strategic step on its international integration journey but also a bold declaration of the ambition of a leading Vietnamese logistics firm to sail across the vast sea. Amid intensifying global competition, effective engagement with the U.S., one of the world’s leading economic and technology centers, will be a catalyst for VIMC to accelerate digital transformation, green growth and deeper integration into global supply chains.

More than just an investment promotion trip, SelectUSA 2025 is an opportunity for VIMC to demonstrate its role as a “pathfinder” in Vietnam’s strategy to become Asia’s next logistics hub. It is also a powerful testament that when businesses dare to venture, dream big, invest systematically and think globally, all limits are surmountable.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum