Paving the way for Chu Lai International Port

Scene of the ceremony announcing the completion of dredging the Ky Ha waterway on the morning of May 16, 2025. Photo: PHAN VINH

Removing logistics bottlenecks

After nearly 4 months of urgent construction, the dredging and upgrading project of Ky Ha waterway has been completed on schedule according to Maritime Notice No. 1425, dated May 8, 2025 of the Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration, and officially put into operation from mid-May.

This is the result of close coordination between Truong Hai International Transport and Logistics Joint Stock Company (THILOGI) and the authorities of Quang Nam province, implemented in accordance with Decree No. 57 of the Government on socialization of seaport dredging activities.

Mr. Bui Ngoc Nam - Director of Quang Nam Maritime Port Authority said that after upgrading, Ky Ha waterway has a depth of minus 9.3m, a bottom width of 110m, and a length of 11km, allowing ships with a tonnage of up to 30,000DWT to enter and exit safely and conveniently.

More importantly, the project has implemented synchronous environmental protection measures, without affecting the marine ecosystem and the livelihoods of local fishermen. The project has been handed over to the Vietnam Maritime Administration for management, without requiring a refund of investment costs from the budget.

The CHANA BHUM ship of RCL shipping line will transport nearly 800 containers of goods to India. Photo: PHAN VINH

The implementation of the socialized dredging model of Ky Ha waterway demonstrates the determination to remove the "bottleneck" of logistics infrastructure for Chu Lai Open Economic Zone and the whole region.

With a depth of minus 9.3m, Ky Ha channel not only helps large ships easily enter and exit the port, even at night, but also contributes to improving the efficiency of wharf exploitation, reducing time and costs for businesses.

Along with the channel upgrade project, Chu Lai International Port continues to invest in the tugboat CHU LAI PORT 02 with a capacity of 2,200 horsepower, increasing the capacity to support large ships entering the port.

Previously, the port put into operation a 50,000-ton wharf, a modern STS and RTG crane system, well meeting the needs of loading and unloading containers and general cargo.

The total investment for upgrading the waterway and supporting facilities is more than 100 billion VND, helping to complete the logistics ecosystem, affirming Chu Lai's role as one of the strategic hub ports of the Central region.

Connecting to the Indian market

Immediately after announcing the completion of dredging, Chu Lai International Port welcomed the ship CHANA BHUM of RCL Shipping Line, officially opening the Chu Lai - India fixed shipping route. This is a special event, marking Chu Lai's strong transformation from a domestic port to the international market.

The completion of dredging the Ky Ha channel and opening the Chu Lai - India shipping route is an important milestone in the development journey of the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone. Photo: PHAN VINH

Mr. Phan Van Ky - Director of Chu Lai International Seaport Company said that the first ship transported nearly 800 containers of goods including auto parts, textiles, furniture, agricultural products from Chu Lai to major ports in India such as Kolkata, Kattupalli, Chennai, Nhava Sheva... and vice versa.

With a frequency of 2 trips/month, the Chu Lai - India route not only helps businesses shorten transportation time and reduce logistics costs, but also creates conditions for export products from the Central region, Central Highlands, Southern Laos, and Northern Cambodia to access the Indian market faster - Vietnam's largest trading partner in South Asia.

Notably, the opening of this direct shipping route helps eliminate the transit through major ports in the North and South, reducing transportation costs by 10-15%, improving the competitiveness of export goods. This is also an opportunity for key agricultural products of Quang Nam and the region such as wood chips, cashew nuts, coffee, processed agricultural products, etc. to expand their consumption markets and promote production linkages along the value chain.

According to Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Van Dung, the completion of dredging Ky Ha channel and opening the Chu Lai - India shipping route is an important milestone on the journey of developing Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, realizing the goal of building Quang Nam into an international logistics center according to the Provincial Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized that with its strategic geographical location, located on the East-West economic corridor, connecting the Central Highlands, Southern Laos, Northeastern Cambodia and Thailand, Chu Lai has many advantages to develop logistics and seaports.

In the coming time, Quang Nam province expects THILOGI and Chu Lai International Port to continue expanding international shipping routes to major markets such as China, Korea, Japan, and investing more in seaport infrastructure and green, smart logistics.

At the same time, attract strategic investors to form free trade zones, contributing to improving regional and national competitiveness.

“Quang Nam province will always accompany the business community, create the most favorable conditions for infrastructure development, expand connections, maximize the potential of seaports and logistics, gradually turn Chu Lai into an international trading center, actively contribute to the socio-economic development of the Central Highlands - Central region” - Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Van Dung affirmed.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/mo-duong-vuon-xa-cho-cang-quoc-te-chu-lai-3155120.html