Billion-dollar shipwrecks stranded off Ly Son Island.

After several years of operation, many passenger ships operating the Sa Ky - Ly Son (Quang Ngai) route are left exposed to the sun and rain in the Ly Son boat anchorage, becoming rusty "shipwrecks".

These were once the most modern ships on the Sa Ky - Ly Son ( Quang Ngai ) passenger transport route, invested with tens of billions of dong with the hope of ushering in a new era for sea and island transportation. However, after only a few years of operation, many of these passenger ships now sit exposed to the sun and rain in the Ly Son shipyard, becoming rusty "shipwrecks".

Not only do these massive blocks of steel leave ship owners penniless, but they also detract from the aesthetics, obstruct waterways, and pose a potential risk of environmental pollution.

From pride to a pile of scrap metal

At the Ly Son boat anchorage (Ly Son Special Economic Zone, Quang Ngai province), amidst hundreds of fishing boats bustling in and out every day, the sight of numerous passenger ships lying motionless, covered in algae, stands out. Unable to be sold or exploited, these multi-million dollar vessels now resemble piles of scrap metal.

From a distance, few would imagine that these rusty ships were once the pride of the passenger transport industry to the island. Many windows are shattered, and large chunks of paint are peeling off the hulls. Some ships are partially submerged, with only the deck and cabins protruding like abandoned "wreckages."

These high-speed boats, unable to compete with the super-fast trains, have been sitting idle for many years.

Nestled quietly in a corner of the mooring bay is the passenger ship Hoang Sa 03. The ship, which received an investment of approximately 10 billion VND and was put into operation in 2014 with high expectations of improving the transportation capacity of the Sa Ky - Ly Son route, had to cease operations after about three years due to unsatisfactory business performance.

For many years, the ship's owner repeatedly tried to sell it, but without success. Now, most of the hull has sunk underwater, leaving only a rusty mass of steel stranded on the shore.

Not far away is the An Vinh 03 passenger ship, once considered one of the most modern vessels on this island sea transport route. Despite an investment of nearly 20 billion VND , the ship has also fallen into disuse, lying idle for many years.

The Bien Dong passenger ship was boldly invested in by a resident of Ly Son Island with approximately 15 billion VND in 2016.

Similarly, the passenger ship Bien Dong was boldly invested in by a resident of Ly Son Island in 2016 with approximately 15 billion VND , hoping to contribute to improving the quality of passenger transport. However, the business dream quickly shattered when, after only about two years of operation, the ship had to cease operations.

These ships, once worth tens of billions of dong, are now almost unusable. Over time, the harsh sea conditions and climate of the island region have caused them to deteriorate severely, leaving them with negligible remaining value.

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The difficult problem posed by abandoned ships.

According to many boat owners, the reason for the large number of vessels being grounded stems from the rapid changes in the passenger transport market on the Sa Ky - Ly Son route. Previously, early-generation high-speed boats were the primary choice for passengers traveling to the island. However, the emergence of new-generation super-speed boats with journey times of only 30-45 minutes has created fierce competition.

The passenger ship Hoang Sa 03 was originally invested with approximately 10 billion VND and put into operation in 2014.

Compared to more modern vessels, older passenger ships are gradually losing their advantages in speed, comfort, and service. Passengers are switching to newer ships, causing a sharp decline in passenger numbers on older vessels. Revenue is insufficient to cover operating costs, maintenance, and bank loan repayments, forcing many ship owners to cease operations. Many have fallen into debt as assets worth tens of billions of dong deteriorate day by day.

However, the consequences extend beyond the economic losses suffered by ship owners. Many abandoned passenger ships have occupied a significant area of ​​water in the Ly Son anchorage zone. Some vessels are severely dilapidated, posing a risk of breaking anchors and drifting away during the rainy and stormy season. If an incident occurs, these "shipwrecks" could collide with operating fishing vessels or coastal infrastructure, causing significant damage.

Currently, most of the hull of the Hoang Sa 03 ship has sunk underwater, leaving only a rusty mass of iron and steel stranded on the shore.

Furthermore, leaving dilapidated vessels submerged for extended periods raises concerns about the risk of marine environmental pollution. Oil, grease, materials, and other residues on board can be released into the environment if not properly disposed of.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Trung, Director of the Quang Ngai Provincial Fisheries Port Management Board, said that the unit has repeatedly coordinated with local authorities to inspect and review the situation of passenger ships that have been anchored for many years in the Ly Son ship anchorage area.

However, the process has been fraught with difficulties. Some ship owners have relocated or are no longer contactable. Those who remain in contact are mostly at a loss as to where to move their vessels or how to dispose of those that are no longer operational.

High-speed trains have shortened journey times to just 45 minutes per trip.

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According to Mr. Trung, in the coming time, the unit will coordinate with the Ly Son Special Economic Zone People's Committee to continue reviewing and definitively resolving the situation of abandoned passenger ships in the anchorage area. Ships that remain anchored will have to fulfill all financial obligations and will be relocated to a separate area to minimize impact on fishing vessel operations.

"For cases where the owner cannot be identified or the vessel is severely damaged, the authorities will study options for salvage and clearing the water," Mr. Trung added.

Source: https://znews.vn/nhung-xac-tau-bac-ty-mac-can-o-ly-son-post1657999.html