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Chennai Port Welcomes New Asia-Europe Shipping Link
3 Oct
Summary
- New shipping service connects Chennai with China and Vietnam.
- Bilateral trade between India and Vietnam reached $18 billion.
- Both nations aim for $25 billion trade by 2030.
Hai An Lines has inaugurated a new container shipping service linking Chennai Port to major trade hubs in China and Vietnam. The service, which commenced with the vessel HAIAN BETA's arrival on Saturday, follows a rotation including Port Klang West in Malaysia, Haiphong in Vietnam, and Nansha in China.
This new route enhances direct maritime connectivity between Chennai and Vietnam, while simultaneously bolstering Chennai Port's connections with Malaysia and South China. This development is timely, as India-Vietnam bilateral merchandise trade reached $18 billion in FY2025-26, reflecting a robust 16% year-on-year growth.
The expansion of trade is further underscored by a mutual agreement between India and Vietnam to explore measures aimed at achieving a bilateral trade target of $25 billion by 2030. Chennai's strong industrial base in sectors such as automotive, engineering, and electronics positions it to capitalize on this growing trade relationship through increased containerized cargo.
Key Indian exports to Vietnam in FY2025-26 included meat products, aluminum, and machinery, while imports from Vietnam featured mobile phones, electronics, and textiles. The strategic importance of this new shipping service is amplified by these trade dynamics and the shared vision for future economic cooperation.
