Adani gets go-ahead to develop port in Da Nang, Vietnam

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Adani Ports has secured preliminary approval to build a new port in Da Nang, Vietnam, as part of its expansion strategy.

Tien Sa seaport, Da Nang city, Vietnam

India’s port operator Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. has secured preliminary approval to build a new port in Da Nang, Vietnam. The greenfield project will include container terminals and multipurpose berths, though the total investment required is still to be finalised.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Karan Adani, managing director of the company, said that Adani has won an “in-principle approval from the Vietnamese government”, adding that the project is in the early planning stages. This new port will expand Adani’s international footprint, adding to its existing assets in Haifa, Colombo, and Dar es Salaam.

The Lien Chieu Port project in Da Nang, expected to become a major international transhipment hub, was initially set for completion by November 2025. The project includes two main elements: shared infrastructure for breakwaters and access roads estimated to cost US$136.8m, and a wharf area with eight container berths and six general cargo berths, estimated at US$1.9 billion.

However, the project has faced delays amid a lack of an investor for the wharf segment.

Construction of the first two container berths, each designed for 100,000-tonne vessels, is projected to take an additional two to three years.

Da Nang has three main ports: Tiên Sa Port for deep-water cargo and passenger traffic, Da Nang International Port for containers and bulk cargo, and Han River Port for smaller vessels and general cargo.

The Vietnamese government has identified Lien Chieu Port as a priority project, aligning with broader national plans to upgrade port infrastructure and boost the country’s maritime industry.

This move is part of Adani Ports’ strategy to enhance India’s maritime capabilities and increase its global market share.

The company aims to boost its international operations from 5% to 10% by 2030, according to Karan. At the moment, Adani Ports is focusing on growth opportunities in regions like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and East Africa to capture a larger portion of global trade.

The approval is being revealed following last week’s inauguration of Adani’s mega port in southern India.

On July 11, the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala welcomed its first cargo ship, marking the launch of India’s first semi-automated port.

The project is a collaboration between the Kerala Government and the Adani Group.