Hateco Hai Phong International Container Port (HHIT), the most modern deep-water port in Vietnam, welcomed its first commercial vessel on the afternoon of 6 February.
On the afternoon of 6 February, the ESL Dubai, a 216-meter vessel, became the first commercial ship to officially dock at Hateco Hai Phong International Container Port. This marks the addition of a new port in northern Vietnam and on the global map of deep-water container ports, offering more options for shipping companies and import/export businesses when transporting containerized goods directly to the U.S. and Europe.
The port officially began operations in February 2025 under the name Hateco Hai Phong International Container Port (HHIT). Spanning a total area of 73 hectares, HHIT includes two main berths with a combined length of 900 meters, capable of simultaneously handling two container ships with a deadweight tonnage of 200,000 DWT (~18,000 TEU), as well as a 200-meter-long barge berth.
In addition, HHIT is designed as a Green Port – Smart Port, with integrated infrastructure such as warehouses, berths, and ship docking areas. This will be the first smart port in Vietnam, able to accommodate the world’s largest vessels and provide direct routes from distant locations like the U.S. West Coast and East Coast.
Hateco Hai Phong Port is equipped with STS (ship-to-shore) cranes integrated with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, with a reach of up to 24 container rows, RTG electric cranes (7+1), and Vietnam’s first automated gates integrating OCR and RFID.
Furthermore, the port is also outfitted with smart technologies like the NAVIS N4 port operating software, ERP IFS Cloud, TAS truck scheduling app, private 5G network, and 24/7 surveillance cameras, which aim to optimize productivity, reduce emissions, and ensure accuracy in service operations.
Recently, the State Inspection Council for Construction Works approved the conditional acceptance of the key construction items for the Berth 5 and 6 investment project. In January 2025, HHIT received the decision to open the port and its customs code.
