GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES · VIETNAM
Deepwater capacity for Vietnam's growing container trade
Vietnam's container volumes are growing by double digits a year, and its next deepwater hub is years from opening. A floating terminal could add berths for the largest ships in the meantime.
Trade is growing faster than deep water
Vietnam's seaports handled an estimated 29.9 million TEU in 2024, up 21 per cent on the year before, according to the Vietnam Maritime Administration (Viet Nam News, February 2025). Growth continued into 2026, with about 18 million TEU in the first half, up 12 per cent (Viet Nam News, July 2026).
The country already takes the largest ships at Cai Mep–Thi Vai: in March 2023 the 24,188 TEU OOCL Spain called at Gemalink, the largest container ship to visit a Vietnamese port at the time (Gemadept, March 2023). The next step is Can Gio, an international transshipment port near Ho Chi Minh City for ships of up to 250,000 tonnes. Ho Chi Minh City approved its investor in April 2026, a consortium led by MSC’s terminal arm TIL with VIMC and plans 4.8 million TEU of capacity by 2030 and 16.9 million TEU by 2047 (VnExpress, April 2026).
That leaves a gap of several years between demand that is growing now and deepwater berths that are still to be built.
THE STFT'S POTENTIAL ROLE
What a floating terminal could add
Our reading of where the STFT fits in Vietnam.
Built in a shipyard while the site is prepared, a floating terminal can be operating in under five years, ahead of fixed deepwater berths.
Anchored where the water is already deep, it takes ultra-large container ships without dredging a channel to reach them.
Feeder vessels carry containers on to regional and river ports, spreading cargo beyond one congested gateway.
ON THE GROUND, SEPTEMBER 2026
Sea Technology in Vietnam
In September 2026 Sea Technology travelled to Vietnam with a Business Sweden delegation.
Following meetings with leading maritime stakeholders, including Saigon Port, Saigon Newport, VIMC, VIMAWA, Vietnam Maritime University and Portcoast.
Sea Technology joined a Swedish delegation, supported by Business Sweden, for a meeting with Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC). The visit provided an opportunity to introduce the STFT® and explore potential collaboration to support Vietnam's future port infrastructure development.
Sea Technology participated in the Vietnam Seaports Association (VPA) Annual Conference in Quy Nhon, presenting the STFT® and connecting with key maritime stakeholders to explore future collaboration and opportunities in Vietnam.
Advancing Our Presence in Vietnam
Vietnam represents a promising market for the Sea Tech Floating Terminal (STFT®), with growing demand for innovative and scalable port infrastructure.
Following our visit in September 2026, Sea Technology has established valuable connections with key stakeholders across Vietnam's maritime sector, including port authorities, terminal operators and industry partners.
With support from Business Sweden, we are now progressing towards the next phase: exploring a site-specific feasibility study in collaboration with local partners, including Portcoast Consultant Corporation.
Our discussions are particularly focused on opportunities in Da Nang, including Tien Sa and Lien Chieu ports, as well as potential developments in southern Vietnam.
Our goal is to identify a suitable location for the first STFT® pilot project, bringing our floating terminal technology one step closer to commercial implementation.
NEXT STEP
Discuss deepwater capacity in Vietnam
We work with port authorities, terminal operators and government delegations on capacity planning.
First conversations are confidential.