SOUTHERN Vietnam's Cai Mep port complex saw container volumes rise by 21 per cent in the first 10 months of the year to 2.4 million TEU, while upstream Ho Chi Minh City terminals increased their traffic by five per cent to reach 5.4 million TEU, according to data compiled by Vietnam Ports Association. SSA Marine's Soren Pedersen pointed out: "Our SSIT joint venture terminal in Cai Mep became the largest bulk port in Vietnam by volume first half 2018," where its deep water facility is designed specifically to accommodate mega box ships. "A significant milestone was reached when SSIT commenced handling containers mid 2018 welcoming the MV MSC Rosaria," Mr Pedersen was quoted as saying in a report by Seatrade Maritime News, Colchester, UK. MSC's new weekly Cai Mep service is operated by four 4,000-TEU vessels, linking SSIT with five ports in Japan on a northern loop plus Singapore, Tanjung Pelepas and Laem Chabang on a southern loop.