Ships face difficulties due to siltation at Phan Thiet estuary

The project to dredge the Phan Thiet estuary ( Binh Thuan province ) was established a long time ago, but due to a lack of disposal sites, it remains stalled. This has led to alarmingly high levels of siltation in the estuary, posing a potential safety risk.

Fishermen and transport businesses are worried.

In mid-February 2025, reporters from Giao Thong Newspaper observed high-speed boats and hundreds of fishing boats anchored at Phan Thiet port (Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province), waiting for the tide to rise before heading out to sea.

Sedimentation at the mouth of the harbor poses a danger to ships and boats venturing out to sea. (In the photo: Ships and boats anchored at Phan Thiet fishing port).

Standing at the harbor at low tide, one can easily see with the naked eye a sandbar stretching hundreds of meters at the end of the Ca Ty River at the mouth of the sea. This sandbar has existed for many years due to sedimentation, and it has been rising higher and higher in front of the harbor area.

According to fishermen, whenever they go out to sea, fishing boats have to wait for the tide to rise, not daring to take risks for fear of damaging the boat or breaking the propeller in shallow channels. High-speed boats, in addition to waiting for the tide to rise, also incur extra costs for hiring tugboats to tow them out to sea.

Representatives of high-speed ferry companies operating the Phan Thiet – Phu Quy route stated that the departure schedules of passenger and cargo high-speed ferries are currently entirely dependent on the tides, making it impossible to depart quickly. The main reason is the silting up of the shipping channel at the mouth of the sea over many years.

The ship cannot operate at full load.

Currently, there are 5 high-speed ferries operating on the Phan Thiet – Phu Quy route. These ferries all have a large carrying capacity, transporting hundreds of passengers per trip.

The Phan Thiet estuary is experiencing siltation, narrowing the shipping channel and posing a safety risk.

A speedboat captain said that if the channel is not cleared, the shallow area will continue to widen, making it difficult to ensure safe navigation: "Many captains are 'running while trembling' even at high tide."

According to Mr. Dinh Viet Cuong, Deputy Director of Thuong Chanh Port Company Limited (the unit managing Phan Thiet transport port), the current level of sedimentation in the Phan Thiet estuary's navigation channel is alarming.

Mr. Cuong cited that in 2020, the Phan Thiet – Phu Quy channel was dredged to a depth of -8m, but now, according to independent surveys by the port, the channel depth fluctuates from -1.8m to -2m, which does not ensure safe ship navigation.

In 2020, the channel for 1,000 DWT vessels was dredged by the Vietnam Maritime Administration (the unit managing the channel). However, due to a lack of regular dredging, it has continued to silt up to the present day.

"The sedimentation is getting worse and worse, with the sandbar bulging and blocking the harbor entrance," Mr. Cuong said, pointing to the expanding sandbar in front of the harbor.

To ensure the safety of high-speed vessels, all cargo ships must carry less than their designed tonnage. For example, ships permitted to carry 1,000 DWT can now only carry 600-800 DWT to avoid grounding incidents and accidents.

Still waiting for a disposal site.

Mr. Do Van Thuan, Deputy Director of the Binh Thuan Maritime Port Authority, confirmed that the Phan Thiet shipping channel and turning basin are currently experiencing very serious siltation. According to the latest maritime notice from the Southern Maritime Safety Corporation, the actual depth of the Phan Thiet shipping channel is only about 0.6m in some sections, and the turning basin is only 1.1m deep.

"Funding for the dredging project of the maritime channel has been secured. However, the project cannot be implemented yet because we are waiting for the Binh Thuan Provincial People's Committee to recommend a location for the storage area of ​​the dredged materials," Mr. Thuan said.

To ensure the maintenance of design standards for maritime channels serving the safe entry and exit of ships to the port, the Vietnam Maritime Administration has repeatedly sent documents and held meetings with the People's Committee of Binh Thuan province requesting the introduction and approval of a location for dumping dredged material.

The People's Committee of Binh Thuan province has assigned the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to take the lead in coordinating with relevant units to agree on a location for receiving dredged material (expected volume of 200,000 m3).

Most recently, on February 12th, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment chaired a meeting with relevant units to finalize recommendations for the Provincial People's Committee to issue a decision on the location for receiving dredged material.

After receiving the approval decision from the Provincial People's Committee, the Vietnam Maritime Administration will take the next steps to implement dredging and maintenance.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/tau-thuyen-gap-kho-vi-cua-bien-phan-thiet-boi-lang-192250220210931444.htm