SPCT prepares to better serve customers as dredging work on Soai Rap River nears completion
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam / Dubai, United Arab Emirates:- Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, His Excellency Johan Vande Lanotte, this week visited DP World-operated Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT) as part of his official visit to Vietnam.
His Excellency took the time to congratulate Belgian company Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering (DEME) on its major dredging work in the Soai Rap River for the Soai Rap Programme Management unit (SRPM), which will benefit the surrounding region, and to compliment SPCT on running the only operational terminal in the Hiep Phouc area.
The newly dredged 54 kilometre long channel, with a draft of 9.5 metres, is scheduled to open mid-year, allowing SPCT to serve vessels with a nominal capacity of up to 5,000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) or 50,000 dwt (deadweight tonnage) close to Ho Chi Minh City. When completed, the 16 month project will benefit all South Vietnam, boosting the logistics sector and creating new job opportunities.
Mr Vande Lanotte was welcomed by SPCT Chief Executive Officer William Khoury and other senior officials, who briefed him on the operational efficiencies that have made SPCT and the adjoining Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park a hub serving both the intra-Asia market and deep sea trades, reducing logistics costs for Vietnamese exporters and importers.
SPCT Chief Executive Officer William Khoury said:
"We are delighted that the dredging work is nearly complete and are very pleased to welcome His Excellency to our facility to view the work in progress. We congratulate DEME for carrying out the dredging work as planned."
Rashid Abdulla, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific Region, DP World, said:
"Connecting people and goods is an efficient way of driving economic growth and the dredging of the Soai Rap River channel will enable SPCT to serve customers even more efficiently, supporting Vietnam's economic development."
Located along the western shore of the Soai Rap River 16km from Ho Chi Minh City center, SPCT is a state of the art facility which began operations in October 2009. Phase I of the development has two berths and storage capacity for up to 15,000 TEU at a time, including 650 refrigerated container slots.
SPCT is a joint venture between DP World and the Tan Thuan Industrial Promotion Company (IPC) - Vietnamese state-owned company.
About DP World
DP World has a portfolio of more than 65 marine terminals across six continents(1), including new developments underway in India, Africa, Europe, South America and the Middle East.
Container handling is the company's core business and generates around 80% of its revenue. In 2012, DP World handled more than 56 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units). With its committed pipeline of developments and expansions, capacity is expected to rise to more than 100 million TEU by 2020, in line with market demand.
DP World has a dedicated, experienced and professional team of 28,000 people serving its customers around the world, and the company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them.
In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship Jebel Ali facility in Dubai, which has been voted "Best Seaport in the Middle East" for 19 consecutive years.
(1) As of December 2013
Media inquiries:
Mike Vertigans
Communications Manager
DP World
Tel: +97156 6769324
michael.vertigans@dpworld.com
© Press Release 2014
