Chennai:Chennai Port Authority on Saturday welcomed the commencement of the HAIAN CVI monthly container service operated by HAIAN Lines. The service directly connects Chennai with Port Klang West in Malaysia, Haiphong in Vietnam, and Nansha in South China.
The inaugural call was marked by a ceremonial flag exchange and cake-cutting ceremony onboard the vessel M.V. HAIAN BETA at Chennai Port’s DP World-operated container terminal (CCTPL), followed by a stakeholder programme at the DP World Conference Hall attended by senior port officials and representatives from HAIAN Lines, Samsara Shipping, and DP World Chennai.
Highlighting the strategic value of the service, Sachin S. Kurve, Chairperson of Chennai Port Authority, stated that the expanding India–Vietnam trade relationship presents significant opportunities for strengthening containerised maritime links between the two countries.
He noted that the new HAIAN CVI service provides regional exporters and importers with an additional regular shipping option connecting Chennai with Vietnam as well as key Southeast Asian and South China trade centres.
The Chairperson also commended the joint efforts of HAIAN Lines, Samsara Shipping, and DP World Chennai in operationalising the link, expressing confidence that it will reinforce Chennai Port’s position as a premier gateway for the industrial hinterland of Tamil Nadu and southern India.
The new maritime corridor comes on the back of rapidly expanding bilateral merchandise trade between India and Vietnam. According to data from the Department of Commerce, two-way merchandise trade reached US18.28 billion in the 2025–26 fiscal year, registering a 15.98% year-on-year increase . During that period, India’s exports to Vietnam stood at US6.67 billion, while imports from Vietnam totalled US$11.62 bn.
This upward trajectory has continued into financial year 2026–27, with Indian exports to Vietnam recording approximately US2.6 bn between April and July 2026 alone.
Key Indian exports include meat, aluminium, seafood, iron and steel, machinery, cereals, and auto components, while inbound cargo from Vietnam includes mobile phones, consumer electronics, machinery, chemicals, and agricultural produce such as coffee and spices. Both countries have also resolved to pursue practical measures to scale bilateral commerce to US$25 bn by 2030.
The port authority continues to strengthen its broader trade facilitation ecosystem, backed by two major container terminals operated by PSA and DP World and an active Port Trade Facilitation Cell focusing on end-to-end digitisation, transhipment, and hinterland rail connectivity.
With the formal vessel rotation running Chennai – Port Klang West – Haiphong – Nansha, the new monthly service offers vital supply-chain support to Tamil Nadu’s thriving manufacturing base in automobiles, engineering goods, electronics, textiles, and chemicals, while significantly broadening market access across Asia.
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