APM Terminals Acquires 49% Stake in Hai Phong International Container Terminal

Why It Matters

The partnership strengthens Maersk’s control over critical North‑Vietnam logistics, enhancing service reliability for global shippers and supporting the region’s export‑import surge.

Key Takeaways

• APM acquires 49% stake in Hai Phong terminal.
• Terminal built in 30 months, highest berth productivity.
• Supports 18,000 TEU vessels with two 450m berths.
• Expands APM’s presence to second Vietnam terminal.
• Maersk terminals revenue up 20% in 2025.

Pulse Analysis

Vietnam’s northern logistics corridor is rapidly evolving, driven by rising manufacturing output and expanding trade links with China, Japan, and Europe. The Hai Phong International Container Terminal, positioned just hours from Hanoi, offers direct access to the country’s industrial heartland. By securing a 49% equity position, APM Terminals not only gains operational control but also integrates the facility into its Gemini East‑West network, facilitating smoother cargo flows across the region and reducing dwell times for high‑capacity vessels.

The terminal’s design reflects next‑generation container handling standards. Two 450‑metre deep‑water berths accommodate ultra‑large container ships up to 18,000 TEU, while the initial layout of five ship‑to‑shore cranes and 14 rubber‑tire gantry cranes ensures high crane productivity. Built in just 30 months, the site already delivers the highest berth productivity in the Hai Phong port, signaling strong operational efficiency. This capacity expansion complements APM’s existing presence at Cai Mep, creating a north‑south terminal network that can balance volume spikes and provide redundancy for shippers navigating Southeast Asian supply chains.

For Maersk, the deal aligns with a broader strategy to monetize terminal assets while reinforcing its end‑to‑end logistics platform. The terminals division posted a record‑high EBIT in 2025, buoyed by a 20% revenue jump from higher volumes, premium rates, and ancillary storage services. Adding Hai Phong deepens Maersk’s foothold in a market projected to grow double‑digit annually, offering a competitive edge as carriers vie for market share in the increasingly congested Pacific trade lanes. The investment underscores the industry trend of carriers securing strategic port stakes to guarantee capacity, improve service reliability, and capture higher margins in a post‑pandemic shipping environment.

Deal Summary

APM Terminals, the terminal operating arm of Maersk, announced it has taken a 49% minority share and operating partner position in the Hai Phong International Container Terminal in northern Vietnam. The deal makes APM a key stakeholder in the newly built terminal, which began operations in July 2025 and offers high berth productivity. The transaction underscores Maersk’s strategy to expand its terminal network in Vietnam.