Investing in upgrading the shipping channel and turning basin in the Chan May area will ensure safety for ships with a tonnage of up to 70,000 tons.

With the goal of developing a synchronized and modern seaport system to meet the needs of socio-economic development, Thua Thien Hue province has focused on investing in and putting into operation many seaport infrastructure projects, effectively promoting and spreading inter-regional development.

Recently, the project to build general cargo and container berths No. 4 and 5 at Vsico Chan May Port commenced construction in the Chan May-Lang Co Economic Zone (Phu Loc). This project, funded by non-budgetary sources, is invested in by Vsico Maritime Joint Stock Company with a total investment of over 1,678 billion VND. The project will construct two interconnected berths, each 540m long, capable of accommodating general cargo ships up to 70,000 tons and container ships up to 4,000 TEU.

Upon completion of berths No. 4 and No. 5, the total length of the wharves will increase to 1,450m. Along with the completion of phase 2 of the Chan May port breakwater project, with a length of 750m, it will ensure the conditions for simultaneously receiving large and modern cargo ships, container ships, and passenger ships from around the world , increasing the operating time of ships throughout the year (including the rainy season); creating new momentum and impetus for the Chan May - Lang Co Economic Zone, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.

After more than 20 years of formation and development, Chan May Port has now exceeded its designed capacity by 50% (designed capacity of 4.0 million tons/year but actual operation at 6 million tons/year). With an average annual growth rate of 25%, according to forecasts and plans, by 2025, the port needs to develop from 5 to 7 berths with a total length of up to 1,930m, and a throughput capacity of 7.5 million tons to 13.8 million tons. The investment in the construction of berths No. 4 and No. 5 of Vsico Chan May Port is a timely preparation to seize opportunities and receive the increasing volume of goods transported by sea in the coming years.

Recently, the Vietnam Maritime Administration held a working session with the province regarding infrastructure management, transportation, planning, and investment in seaport development. According to the province's seaport development planning and investment orientation, the Phong Dien port area is projected to develop 8 to 12 berths by 2030, with a total length of 1,250m to 2,620m and a throughput capacity of 6 million to 11 million tons.

According to the Provincial People's Committee, Phong Dien Port is included in the Master Plan for the Development of Vietnam's Seaport System for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, which has been approved by the Prime Minister . The Provincial People's Committee is currently calling for investment and organizing the selection of investors to build berths in the Phong Dien Port area. Currently, four investors have registered to participate and have submitted applications for approval of the investment policy for the project as per regulations.

According to the Department of Planning and Investment, regarding Berth No. 1 of Phong Dien Port (Phong Dien Port Area), in August 2023, the consortium of Stavian VP Joint Stock Company, VP Silica Joint Stock Company, and My Thuy International Port Joint Stock Company submitted an application for approval of the investment policy for the project. At the end of 2023, the Department of Planning and Investment issued a document regarding the acceptance and completion of the Phong Dien Port project dossier, and the Provincial People's Committee also sent a document to the Ministry of Transport requesting their agreement on the approval of the investment policy for the project.

Also at the end of 2023, the Provincial People's Committee agreed in principle to conduct a study on the investment project for berths No. 2 and No. 3 of Phong Dien Port (Phong Dien Berth Area). Accordingly, it was agreed in principle to allow PTS Vien Dong Investment Joint Stock Company (the investor) to study the project, covering an area of ​​approximately 400 hectares in Dien Loc and Dien Hoa communes, Phong Dien district. This includes approximately 13 hectares of land (behind the access roads) and approximately 396 hectares of sea surface.

Regarding the Chan May Port area, for the container terminal, the overall development scale ranges from 8 to 10 berths with a total length of 2,431m to 3,231m, a throughput capacity of 16.1 million tons to 23.0 million tons, and 324,100 to 345,000 passengers. For the passenger terminal, according to the port group plan, the passenger terminal is located to the west of the port area (potential terminals), with a proposed length of 750m.

The Provincial People's Committee has requested the Vietnam Maritime Administration to consider the feasibility of investing in a dedicated berth for passenger ships. Furthermore, Chan May Port Joint Stock Company has already partnered with the Royal Caribbean cruise line to accommodate passenger ships at Berth No. 1 – Chan May Port until 2035. Therefore, the Provincial People's Committee proposes planning Berth No. 1 – Chan May Port as a dual-use berth (cargo and passenger/tourism berth), but primarily and most importantly, to serve passenger and tourist ships. Simultaneously, they suggest extending Berth No. 1 northward by approximately 60m, ensuring a total length of 420m, and increasing its berthing capacity from 70,000 tons to 200,000 tons when conditions permit…

In order to improve the capacity and efficiency of port operations in the Chan May area, ensure maritime safety and security in the region, meet the needs of efficient operation of shipping channels and turning basins, and improve the business performance of ship owners and port enterprises, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Hai Minh requested the Vietnam Maritime Administration to promptly submit to the Ministry of Transport for approval the detailed planning of the land and water areas of Thua Thien Hue seaport for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, to provide a basis for implementing the next steps.

The Vietnam Maritime Administration is requested to report to the Ministry of Transport on supplementing the plan for dredging and maintaining the turning basin of the Chan May port area in 2024 to achieve a depth of -12m (nautical chart). Investment should be made in upgrading the shipping channel and turning basin in the Chan May area to ensure safety for ships with a tonnage of up to 70,000 tons entering and leaving the port during the 2025-2026 period. The Chan May channel should be improved and upgraded to accommodate ships with a tonnage of up to 150,000 tons. Investment should also be made in the breakwater on the western side of the Chan May port area by 2030.

The Provincial People's Committee requests the Vietnam Maritime Administration to direct and urge units to carry out dredging and maintenance of the Thuan An maritime channel (Hue City) according to the approved schedule. They should also study the possibility of expanding and deepening the channel from the edge of the maritime channel to the fishing vessel berth so that during storms and tropical depressions, light-tonnage vessels can safely enter the Thuan An fishing port, which also serves as a safe anchorage and shelter area.
Text and photos: HA NGUYEN