Two ships from China drifting on the Red River, fear of colliding with the bridge

On the evening of September 9, speaking with VietNamNet reporter, Mr. Bui Thien Thu, Director of Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration, said that he had reported to the Ministry of Transport requesting competent authorities to take action on two unmanned ships from China drifting on the Red River.

Two sand dredgers drift on the Red River through Lao Cai province. Photo from source: Lao Cai Provincial Department of Transport

The two ships, each weighing about 100 tons, were sand dredgers and had no one on board. By the morning of September 9, the ships had drifted to Coc Leu Bridge but had not yet affected the bridge. The ships then continued to drift to the Pho Moi Bridge area (located about 2.5 km downstream from Coc Leu Bridge).

It is expected that on the evening of September 9, the two ships will drift to Pho Lu bridge (across the Red River in Bao Thang district, Lao Cai province).

Mr. Thu said that the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration and relevant localities do not have enough capacity, means and equipment to handle the two ships above.

“The Lao Cai Department of Transport as well as the Red River waterway management unit only have small capacity canoes, not enough to pull and hold these two ships. To avoid affecting the bridges on the Red River while the flood water is rising, the Department has sent a report to the Ministry of Transport requesting the Ministry to report to the Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of National Defense to take the lead in finding a solution,” Mr. Thu informed.

In addition, the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration has also notified the Departments of Transport to obtain information for coordination in handling.

Previously, the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration received a report from the Lao Cai Provincial Department of Transport about two ships from China drifting on the Red River towards Coc Leu Bridge (Lao Cai City), which needed to be handled to avoid hitting the bridge pillars on the Red River.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/2-tau-tu-trung-quoc-troi-dat-tren-song-hong-lo-va-vao-cau-2320297.html