Hateco Hai Phong International Container Terminal (HHIT) has set a new record for handling ultra-large container ships after welcoming Matz Maersk, a Triple-E-class container vessel operated by Maersk. The vessel has a deadweight of nearly 214,000 DWT and a length of almost 400 meters, making it the largest container ship to call at Hai Phong and the northern port region of Vietnam at the time.
The new record came just over two months after HHIT had set a previous milestone with the arrival of COSCO SHIPPING AQUARIUS, which had a deadweight of 197,087 DWT. The latest achievement highlights the growing capacity of Lach Huyen deep-water port to handle some of the world’s largest container vessels.
Matz Maersk Sets New Record at Hai Phong Port
On June 23, 2026, HHIT, which operates berths 5 and 6 at the Lach Huyen deep-water port area, welcomed Matz Maersk, a large container vessel operated by Maersk.
Matz Maersk has an overall length of approximately 399.2 meters, a beam of around 59-60 meters, a deadweight of approximately 213,970 DWT, and a container capacity of about 18,270 TEU. The vessel was completed in 2014 and is registered in Denmark.
With a deadweight of more than 213,000 DWT, Matz Maersk surpassed COSCO SHIPPING AQUARIUS by approximately 16,900 DWT, becoming the largest container vessel to call at Hai Phong and the northern port region of Vietnam at the time.
HHIT reported the vessel’s deadweight at approximately 214,000 DWT, setting a new record for the port.
Previous Record Broken in Just 62 Days
Just over two months before Matz Maersk arrived, COSCO SHIPPING AQUARIUS had set a new record at Hai Phong Port.
On April 22, 2026, the COSCO vessel, measuring 400 meters in length and with a deadweight of 197,087 DWT, called at HHIT. At the time, it was reported to be the largest vessel ever to berth at a port in northern Vietnam.
At 400 meters long, the vessel is roughly equivalent to four standard football pitches placed end to end. Its arrival also demonstrated the ability of the Lach Huyen port area to accommodate ultra-large container vessels.
However, the record lasted only around 62 days before Matz Maersk surpassed it with nearly 17,000 additional DWT.
The arrival of Matz Maersk also coincided with a visit to the Hateco port by a senior delegation from A.P. Moller-Maersk, led by Robert M. Uggla.
HHIT Designed to Handle 400-Meter Container Ships
HHIT operates berths 5 and 6 at the Lach Huyen deep-water port project, developed by Hateco and commercially launched in February 2025.
The project covers approximately 73 hectares, with 900 meters of main berth length and an additional 200-meter berth for smaller cargo vessels. The water depth alongside the berths ranges from approximately -16.8 to -18.4 meters.
According to HHIT’s design specifications, the terminal can handle two large container ships simultaneously, with vessels designed for approximately 200,000 DWT or around 18,000 TEU and above, and a maximum vessel length of about 400 meters.
The successful berthing of Matz Maersk, with a deadweight of nearly 214,000 DWT, demonstrates the terminal’s ability to accommodate very large container vessels under suitable operating conditions.
Hateco Port Uses Advanced Technology for Large Ships
In addition to its large-scale infrastructure, HHIT is equipped with a range of technologies and equipment designed to improve container-handling efficiency, including:
- Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes capable of handling vessels across up to 24 container rows
- Electric e-RTG cranes
- NAVIS N4 terminal operating system
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology
- RFID systems
- 5G connectivity
The Lach Huyen berths 5 and 6 project was developed with investment from Hateco. According to information from the Hai Phong People’s Committee, the project is Vietnam’s first deep-water port infrastructure development to be financed by private-sector capital.
Container Throughput at Hai Phong Port Continues to Grow
Since beginning commercial operations, HHIT has rapidly expanded its operations. In 2025, the terminal was expected to handle approximately 808,000 TEU of container cargo.
During the first six months of 2026, HHIT handled nearly 450,000 TEU and received 151 vessel calls, representing an increase of approximately 45% compared with the same period a year earlier.
The arrival of Matz Maersk and its record-breaking size not only demonstrates the capacity of Hai Phong Port to accommodate ultra-large container vessels, but also highlights the expansion of Vietnam’s deep-water port infrastructure and Hai Phong’s growing role in international maritime trade and supply chains.
Source :
www. cafef.vn
www.vietnam.vn
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