A pure car and truck carrier operated by NYK completed its first-ever call at Chan May Port on 18 September 2026, marking the start of a new export route for finished vehicles in central Vietnam, sources indicated.
The arrival, carried out by a PCTC, represents a direct maritime link between vehicle manufacturers or consolidators in central Vietnam and international markets, the report said. The call was described as part of the region's first export shipment of finished vehicles, opening an alternative logistics option for the area.
Chan May Port is located near Hue City in central Vietnam. The port call was the first recorded visit by a NYK-operated pure car and truck carrier at this facility, according to the supplied account.
Industry observers will watch whether the move leads to regular scheduled calls, connecting manufacturers in the central provinces to global ro-ro and PCTC services. Establishing a reliable outbound service would remove a layer of inland transhipment and could shorten lead times for exporters in the region.
NYK's PCTC type vessels specialise in the transport of finished passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and other rolling stock. Their deployment to Chan May suggests carriers are assessing demand patterns in areas of Vietnam outside the major northern and southern hubs.
A new logistics option for central Vietnam
The first export shipment of finished vehicles from the region is the key freight milestone reported. For manufacturers and assemblers based around Hue and neighbouring provinces, direct access to a seaborne PCTC service can provide a more efficient route to overseas buyers.
A local port call also offers potential benefits to forwarders and freight integrators by broadening the choice of origin ports. That can increase competition in rates and scheduling, and create greater resilience in supply chains servicing vehicle exporters.
Regional export implications
Opening Chan May to PCTC calls may encourage other operators to trial similar services if cargo volumes meet commercial thresholds. Regular ro-ro capacity at an additional port would alter modal flows and could affect the routing choices of exporters currently using larger hubs.
Further developments will depend on sustained cargo demand and the commercial decisions of vessel operators and logistics providers. The initial call establishes the operational feasibility of such voyages and gives stakeholders a concrete precedent on which to base planning.
Sources published the item on 18 September 2026, noting the significance of the event for automotive logistics in central Vietnam. The report framed the port call as a practical step toward integrating the region more closely with international vehicle supply chains.