Lifting the standard of safety in Haiphong City

APM Terminals, which has been partnering on container terminals in Vietnam since 2007 and has a strategic partnership in the neighbouring facility of Hateco Haiphong International Container Terminal (HHIT), will be sponsoring the construction of a new swimming training facility for the Doan Duc Thai Primary and Secondary School in Cat Hai District.

The 730 students at the school will benefit from having a new five-lane swimming pool, measuring 12.5 meters by 25 meters, which is estimated to be completed by August 2025 to be ready for the start of the new school year.

APM Terminals has decided to sponsor the building of this new swimming training facility following joint meetings involving HHIT and the People’s Committee of Cat Hai District.

Given the mountainous and island terrain of the area, ensuring the safety of residents — especially children — remains a top priority for local authorities.

Based on local government statistics, merely 9% of schools in Vietnam have swimming facilities and only around 33% of primary and secondary students know how to swim. This initiative therefore aims to address serious safety concerns and is an example of APM Terminals’ commitment to improving the physical wellbeing of children in the community. The project is also aligned with APM Terminals’ commitment to support education-focused community projects in the areas, where the company is engaged.

The following key considerations were taken into account when deciding to support the project:

• Community engagement:
  This initiative aims to strengthen APM Terminal’s relationship with the community of Cat Hai District, where the new HHIT is located.
• Safety and skills development:
  By improving the swimming capabilities of school students, the project seeks to increase safety of the children and prevent drowning incidents, which is a recognised concern in the community.
• Educational and maritime focus:
  The project aligns with APM Terminals’ broader commitment to enhance local education and foster interest in maritime fields, supporting broader educational and economic development in Vietnam.

Upon completion of the swimming training facility, APM Terminals will provide funding in the initial years to employ a dedicated swimming instructor and to support the upkeeping of the facility.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Cat Hai District commented, "Given the mountainous and island terrain of the area, ensuring the safety of residents — especially children — remains a top priority for local authorities. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to APM Terminals for their patronage and goodwill in contributing to the social welfare in Cat Hai District through the sponsorship of a new swimming training facility for students. This meaningful project creates valuable opportunities for children to develop essential swimming skills, thereby enhancing their ability to prevent drowning accidents."

"This initiative underscores APM Terminals' strong commitment to Vietnam and our continued role as a strategic partner to Hateco Group for Hateco Haiphong International Container Terminal (HHIT),” says Jon Goldner, Chief Executive of APM Terminals Asia and Middle East. “We are delighted to collaborate closely and to engage in meaningful dialogue with the community of Cat Hai District to come up with this new swimming training facility, addressing a specific local need that will make a lasting impact for the children of this school."

Commitment and partnerships in Vietnam

This community initiative in Cat Hai District is part of APM Terminals’ broader involvement and contribution to improving transportation and logistics and making a positive impact on neighbouring communities in Vietnam.

In March 2023, APM Terminals announced a strategic partnership with the HATECO Group to develop two new deep-water berths at Lach Huyen Port (Berths 5 and 6), forming the Hateco Haiphong International Container Terminal (HHIT). As an advisor, APM Terminals provides financial, operational and technical support to Hateco Group for HHIT. In early February 2025, HHIT welcomed its first commercial vessel, marking the start of operations of northern Vietnam's largest, most advanced and environmentally sustainable container terminal.

APM Terminals is deeply committed to fostering and investing in export and import opportunities across Vietnam. Since 2007, APM Terminals has been active in the joint venture Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT), located in southern Vietnam. CMIT is strategically located to support Vietnam’s commercial hub, Ho Chi Minh City. It is also one of the few terminals in Southeast Asia capable of accommodating the largest container vessels in the world.