HCMC – An LNG-powered container ship operated by Israel’s ZIM arrived at Saigon-SSA International Terminal (SSIT), launching a new direct shipping service linking Vietnam with the U.S. East Coast.
The ZIM MOUNT RAINIER is deployed on the ZXB trans-Pacific service connecting Singapore, Cai Mep, Haiphong, Yantian, Xiamen, Kingston, Charleston, Savannah, New York and Boston.
SSIT described the call as a milestone for the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port cluster, highlighting the terminal’s ability to handle ultra-large container vessels and support green maritime development.
The vessel is 366 meters long and can carry 15,124 TEUs, placing it among the large container ships operating on major global trade routes.
The ship runs on liquefied natural gas, which the shipping industry has adopted to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The new ZXB route is expected to strengthen trade links between Vietnam and major logistics hubs in Asia and the United States.
Phan Hoang Vu, general director of Saigon-SSA International Terminal Company, said cooperation between SSIT and ZIM began in 2025 and has continued to expand.
Regular ZXB service calls at SSIT mark a new stage in the partnership as shipping activity between Vietnam and the United States grows, he added.
The ZIM MOUNT RAINIER departed SSIT on May 29 to continue its voyage on the ZXB route.
Established in 2006, SSIT is a joint venture between SSA Marine, Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC), and Saigon Port. The terminal is located in the Cai Mep-Thi Vai area in HCMC and has a 60-hectare container yard, a 655-meter main berth, a 435-meter barge berth, and ship-to-shore cranes.
