Meratus Will Launch New Vietnam Maritime Route
Exporters and importers gain a direct ocean freight connection between Vietnam and Southeast Asian markets.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Transportation
Meratus will launch the new international CIDX shipping service on 1 October 2026, creating a direct link between Vietnam, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea. The inaugural sailing departs from the SP-ITC Port in Ho Chi Minh City.
Why it matters
This route provides regional businesses with additional logistics capacity to move goods across the Indo-Pacific corridor. It aims to strengthen maritime connectivity to meet rising shipping requirements between these key manufacturing and emerging markets.
The CIDX service features a rotation including Ho Chi Minh City, Semarang, Surabaya, Dili, Lae, and Motukea. This new deployment represents an expansion of direct ocean freight options for companies operating between Vietnam and three emerging destination markets.
The players
Meratus
An international shipping company specializing in maritime logistics and regional freight connectivity.
Hai An Container Transport Co., Ltd.
A shipping agency and subsidiary of a larger stevedoring joint stock company operating in Vietnam.
The details
The service will utilize the vessel Meratus Kutai to facilitate trade across the designated port rotation. Operational support for the route is managed in Vietnam by Hai An Container Transport Co., Ltd., a division of Hai An Transport and Stevedoring Joint Stock Company. This setup provides a structured agency framework to handle regional logistics and scheduling as cargo moves from the SP-ITC Port to the broader regional network.
Timeline
1 October 2026 marks the launch date of the CIDX shipping service.
Market Landscape
The launch of the CIDX service aligns with the ongoing expansion of intra-Asia maritime trade corridors as carriers seek to deepen regional coverage. This move mirrors broader industry efforts to optimize supply chain resilience by increasing the frequency and directness of service routes.
Exporters and importers with existing trade lines to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, or Papua New Guinea should evaluate their current freight contracts against this new option. Operational teams should monitor the 1 October 2026 launch to determine if this route offers improved transit times compared to existing transshipment alternatives.
The takeaway
The addition of the CIDX service highlights the importance of diversifying ocean freight options to mitigate regional supply chain bottlenecks. Operators should review their Q4 logistics schedules to determine if this new rotation provides a cost-effective alternative for Southeast Asian shipments.
Further reading
For more on evolving logistics networks, visit Transportation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Container News.
