Transimex and Tan Cang Logistics — two of Vietnam’s largest inland container logistics companies — have acquired container ships to expand into the liner sector.
Both have bought feeder-size ships from Singapore-registered single-ship owning entities linked to China’s Dalian Zhida Ship Management.
Transimex recently took delivery of the 1,060-teu A Aso (built 2009), which it has placed in service under the name Transimex Sun.
Brokers reported on Monday that Tan Cang Logistics had concluded a deal to buy the 907-teu A Xinxia (built 2007) for $8m.
Both Ho Chi Minh City-based companies are well-established logistics players that are actively involved in terminal operations, warehousing, freight forwarding and inland container logistics.
Transimex’s shipping operations, until now, have been confined to moving containers up the Mekong River using its own fleet of purpose-built barges.
Transimex said the Transimex Sun is its first oceangoing container ship. Along with the vessel, the company has taken delivery of 300 new containers.
Transimex Shipping, the subsidiary that operates the Transimex Sun, provides domestic container shipping services linking northern Vietnam with southern Vietnam, offering port-to-port and door-to-door service for its customers, the company said.
In addition, it provides empty container positioning services for liner companies operating services into Vietnam, as well as project cargo transportation services.
Tan Cang Logistics has yet to comment on its plans for the newly acquired A Xinxia, although Vietnamese market observers believe the company will use it to launch a similar type of domestic service to the one Transimex has just launched.
