Hai An launches new direct container service between Vietnam and India
Hai An Container Transport Company Limited (HACT) has introduced a new direct shipping connection between Vietnam and India, with the first vessel deployed on its CVI service arriving at Chennai Port on October 3, 2026.
The vessel, M/V HAIAN BETA, completed its inaugural call at Chennai, marking a further expansion of Hai An’s international container shipping operations.
HACT, a subsidiary of Hai An Transport and Stevedoring Joint Stock Company (HATS), operates the new monthly service, which connects Vietnam and India through additional port calls in China and Malaysia.
The launch provides another scheduled container shipping option for cargo moving between the two markets, alongside connections with established regional trading hubs.
CVI service connects four Asian ports
The new CVI service operates on a monthly basis, following the port rotation:
Nansha – Hai Phong – Port Klang West – Chennai.
The rotation connects Nansha in southern China with Hai Phong in Vietnam before continuing to Port Klang in Malaysia and Chennai on India’s southeastern coast.
According to Hai An, the service is designed to provide a direct connection between Vietnam and India while supporting cargo movements involving other major Asian trading centres.
The company expects the new route to accommodate demand for container transportation between the two countries.
The inaugural call took place at Chennai Container Terminal (CCTPL), operated by DP World.
A welcome ceremony was attended by Sachin S. Kurve, Chairperson of Chennai Port Authority, and Vu Thanh Hai, Chairman of HACT and HATS.
Representatives of Samsara Shipping, Hai An’s general agent in India, and DP World Chennai also participated in the event.
Growing Vietnam–India trade supports shipping connections
The introduction of the CVI service comes amid increasing bilateral trade between Vietnam and India.
During the first eight months of 2026, trade between the two countries reached $13.4 billion, representing a 25% increase compared with the corresponding period of 2025, according to figures provided by Hai An.
The growth in trade has created additional opportunities for shipping companies to develop direct container connections and related logistics services between the two markets.
Hai An expects the CVI service to support customers seeking regular transportation options between Vietnam and India.
During the vessel’s arrival ceremony, the company’s chairman highlighted the importance of the new connection for Hai An’s international operations.
The Chairperson of Chennai Port Authority also pointed to growing trade between the two countries as a factor supporting additional container shipping services.
The new route extends Chennai’s scheduled shipping connections with Vietnam while providing access to Port Klang and Nansha.
Hai An expands international shipping operations
The arrival of M/V HAIAN BETA represents another step in Hai An’s development of international container services beyond its existing operations.
Through the CVI service, the company is establishing a regular connection linking four ports across China, Vietnam, Malaysia and India.
The service also involves cooperation with regional port operators and shipping agents, including DP World Chennai and Samsara Shipping.
While Hai An has confirmed the monthly frequency and port rotation, it has not disclosed the vessel’s capacity, detailed transit times or whether additional vessels will be deployed on the route.
The company has also not announced plans to increase the service frequency.
For now, the CVI service provides a new monthly shipping option between Vietnam and India, with M/V HAIAN BETA completing the first scheduled call at Chennai.
