MV Haian Alfa Hits Tuticorin: New Shipping Link Boosts Vietnam Trade
MV Haian Alfa strengthens Vietnam connectivity at Tuticorin's DBGT terminal, boosting EXIM trade for regional exporters and importers.
In a significant move to enhance international maritime links, the mainline container vessel MV Haian Alfa made its maiden call at the Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal (DBGT) of the VO Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tuticorin this Saturday. This arrival marks a strategic boost in connectivity between southern India and Vietnam, opening new doors for regional trade.
Strengthening the India-Vietnam Corridor
The Vietnamese-flagged vessel is part of the Chennai–Vietnam (CVI) Service, managed by Samsara Shipping Pvt. Ltd. This new service is designed to streamline the movement of goods between key Asian ports, offering a regular and reliable schedule for exporters and importers.
The vessel's operational rotation is extensive, covering several critical hubs:
- Tuticorin (India)
- Chennai (India)
- Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
- Hai Phong (Vietnam)
- Qinzhou (China)
- Port Klang (Malaysia)
- Returning to Tuticorin (India)
For businesses in Tuticorin, the transit times are notably efficient, taking approximately seven days to reach Ho Chi Minh and ten days to reach Hai Phong. The service is slated to operate on a fortnightly basis.
Capacity and Cargo Details
The MV Haian Alfa is a formidable vessel with a container capacity of 1,781 TEUs. Measuring 171.9 metres in length and 28.4 metres in beam, it is well-equipped to handle large volumes of trade. During its first visit to the VOC Port, the ship handled a total of 823 TEUs.
The cargo breakdown included:
- 723 TEUs of import containers, primarily destined for Vinfast.
- 100 TEUs of transhipment containers heading toward Colombo.
Boosting Regional Exports
The introduction of this service is expected to be a windfall for the port's hinterland. A wide array of regional products are now poised for easier export, including:
- Agricultural goods: Rice, cereal products, and raw cashew.
- Industrial and chemical materials: Chemicals, yarn, and cotton.
- Marine and organic products: Seafood, bone meal, coir products, and coco peat.
- Consumer goods: Garments, food items, and beverages.
Infrastructure and Growth
The Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal (DBGT) played a pivotal role in hosting the vessel. With a 335.5-metre berth and a draft of 14.2 metres, the terminal boasts an annual container-handling capacity of 6 lakh TEUs, making it a vital node for international maritime connectivity.
The growth trend at the V.O. Chidambaranar Port is evident in recent data. Between April and October 2026 (Financial Year 2026-27), the port handled 5.16 lakh TEUs of container traffic. This represents a 2.56% increase compared to the 5.03 lakh TEUs handled during the same period the previous year.
Official Recognition
To commemorate the event, a brief ceremony was held at the DBGT. The event saw the presence of several key figures, including Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS (Deputy Chairperson, VOC Port Authority), Sudipta Banerjee (Traffic Manager, VOC Port Authority), Senthilkumar Subramanian (CEO, DBGT), Bakshi Mohammed Hanif (General Manager, Samsara Group, Mumbai), and Capt. Nguyen Nam Tinh, the captain of the MV Haian Alfa.
"The maiden call of M.V. Haian Alfa at VOC Port marks an important step in strengthening our direct connectivity with Vietnam, facilitating the movement of cargo between the region and overseas markets," stated Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson of the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority.
He further emphasized that the VOC Port remains dedicated to upgrading its infrastructure to support the industrial growth of its hinterland and enhance the overall EXIM trade ecosystem.