Ho CHI Minh City (HCMC) proposed the construction of a $6bn international transhipment port in outlying Can Gio District, Vietnamese media have reported.

The port investment was originally suggested by MSC Group, Vietnam Maritime Corporation, and Saigon Port.

The estimated $6bn-project is expected to have about 7.2 kms of wharves and would be able to receive the world’s largest 24,000 teu container ships, while its capacity will be around 10-15m teus.

The wharf can accommodate container ships measuring up to 250,000 dwt and 24,000 teu.

This area has the perfect conditions for an international transhipment container port, creating a competitive advantage for Vietnam against other countries in the region and a breakthrough in the marine economic development of Ho Chi Minh City and the whole country, said Tuoi Tre News.

The project was sent to Vietnam’s prime minister for consideration, suggesting it could be included in the long-term plan and could start within the 2021-30 period.

The volume of goods through Ho Chi Minh City’s seaports is anticipated to increase 5% during the 2021-25 period and the new container port project is necessary to meet the current and future import-export needs of Ho Chi Minh City and the southern key economic region in general, said the media.