As part of his official visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm paid a visit to Port of Antwerp-Bruges, one of Europe’s most important maritime and logistics hubs. The visit further underscored the strategic role of the maritime economy, port development, and logistics connectivity in Vietnam’s long-term growth agenda and international integration efforts.
Of particular interest was the presence of MSC Crapolla, a vessel deployed on the Britannia service connecting Asia and Northern Europe. Before arriving at Antwerp-Bruges, the vessel had called at SP-SSA International Terminal (SSIT) in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai deep-water port complex, one of Vietnam’s most important international gateway ports.
While merely one stop along the vessel’s global rotation, the appearance of the same ship at both SSIT and Antwerp-Bruges offers a powerful illustration of the increasingly strong connectivity between Vietnam’s port system and Europe’s leading logistics centers. It also reflects Vietnam’s growing capability to accommodate large-scale intercontinental services, enabling direct trade links between Vietnamese exporters and key international markets.
Behind this connectivity lies the vision and commitment of generations of leaders, policymakers, and maritime enterprises dedicated to strengthening Vietnam’s competitiveness in ports and logistics. In this journey, Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) and Saigon Port, the principal shareholders of SSIT, have played a pivotal role in the development of the Cai Mep - Thi Vai international gateway port system, contributing significantly to Vietnam’s emergence as a strategic maritime nation and an increasingly important player in global trade.
Working alongside its Vietnamese partners is SSA Marine, one of the leading port operators in the United States, bringing decades of international expertise in terminal management and operations. The partnership between VIMC, Saigon Port, and SSA Marine represents a successful model of international cooperation, combining global operational excellence with local market knowledge to create a world-class deep-water terminal serving the region and beyond.
Viewed from a broader perspective, the voyage of MSC Crapolla from SSIT to Antwerp-Bruges is far more than the movement of cargo. It symbolizes Vietnam’s deeper integration into global supply chains, the success of international maritime cooperation, and the steady advancement of the country’s port sector toward becoming a vital link in world trade networks..
At a time when cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium continues to expand, particularly in maritime transport, port development, logistics, and multimodal connectivity, the visit of General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm to Port of Antwerp-Bruges carries significance beyond diplomacy alone. It also serves as a source of inspiration for continued innovation, collaboration, and investment in Vietnam’s maritime future.
Today, the direct liner services linking Cai Mep with Europe stand as tangible proof of this vision. They demonstrate how strategic partnerships, modern infrastructure, and international cooperation can bring Vietnam closer to the world, while strengthening the global connectivity that underpins sustainable economic growth for generations to come.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Le Nguyet (Ms. Moon)
Commercial Manager – SSIT
Phone: +84 0909.358.029
Email: Nguyet.le@ssit.com.vn