In addition to the formation of a network of seaports connecting to inland areas, this allows our coastal and maritime regions to transport imported goods to all parts of the country quickly and conveniently.
Connecting seaports
Binh Thuan province boasts a 192 km coastline and is one of the three major fishing grounds in the country in terms of seafood production. Leveraging its coastal strengths, the province has invested in and developed its marine economy and maritime transport infrastructure over the years. Accordingly, the upgrading of the province's seaports is largely in line with the plan, aiming to meet the requirements of industrialization, modernization, integration, and international competitiveness for both the country and the province.
Binh Thuan currently has Phu Quy Port: A comprehensive port with complete basic infrastructure (berths, embankments, breakwaters, warehouses, etc.), serving the transportation and logistics needs of the fishing industry, and is the main gateway connecting the island district with the mainland. Currently, the province is undertaking the renovation of the Phu Quy Port breakwater (with a target of upgrading Phu Quy Port's capacity to receive 5,000 DWT vessels by 2030, connecting with Phan Thiet Port and Vinh Tan Port).
Phan Thiet Port.
The breakwater at Phu Quy Port is currently undergoing renovation.
The Phan Thiet Transport Port, invested through a public-private partnership, has completed the facilities to serve passenger ships on the Phan Thiet - Phu Quy route and has been operational since February 2018, including two berths for 1,000 DWT cargo ships and two berths for passenger ships. The Vinh Tan International Port has put two berths into operation: a berth for 3,000 DWT ships that began operations in April 2017 and a berth for 50,000 DWT ships inaugurated in April 2019, capable of receiving ships with a tonnage of 30,000 DWT. The Son My Port is currently under investment; recently, the Provincial People's Committee approved the investment plan and the investor for the Son My LNG terminal project in Son My commune, Ham Tan district. The port will directly serve the Son My Industrial Park, the Son My LNG storage facility, and the Son My Power Center. This location includes a liquid/gas cargo terminal, a general cargo terminal, and a passenger terminal suitable for liquid/gas cargo vessels up to 150,000 tons; general cargo and bulk cargo vessels up to 100,000 tons; and international passenger ships. When implemented, the project will directly contribute to the sustainable energy development of Vietnam in general and Binh Thuan province in particular, especially through business activities related to the development of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. Specifically, the project will help protect the environment with a clean, safe, and flexible energy source, and provide cost-effective energy solutions to individuals and organizations in Vietnam with high energy demands.
Loading and unloading goods at Vinh Tan Port. Photo: D. Hoa
Modern shipping fleet
Along with that, Binh Thuan has developed a modern fleet of passenger and cargo ships transporting passengers and goods between the mainland and Phu Quy Island. The fleet is being invested in with increasingly high quality, a rational structure, safety, energy efficiency, and smooth operation; many ships regularly have plans to ensure connectivity with the mainland in case of prolonged bad weather. It is known that the province is continuing to call on businesses to invest in transportation on this route to better serve the needs of residents and tourists. Currently, there are daily trips including both to and from Phu Quy Island, meeting the needs of cargo transportation and passenger travel.
Logistics service vessel at Phan Thiet Transport Port
On the waterway route from Phan Thiet to Phu Quy Island, there are currently 5 high-speed ferries operating: Superdong - Phu Quy I, Superdong - Phu Quy II, Phu Quy Express, Tuan Chau Express II, and Trung Trac; the capacity of these vessels ranges from 250 to nearly 600 passengers. In addition, there are 4 cargo ships: Tuan Tu 45 (872.5 tons), Quan Trung (482.5 tons), Quan Trung 02 (482.5 tons), and Binh Minh 79 (909.8 tons), and 2 logistics service vessels: Quoc Khang and Phu Quy 16, along with other vessels. With the socialization of waterway transportation and investment in modern passenger and cargo ships, travel time for residents and tourists has been significantly reduced. The combination of Phan Thiet Transport Port and Phu Quy Port meets the needs for transporting and importing/exporting goods, enhances transport capacity, reduces logistics costs, contributes to improving the competitiveness of the economy , helps remove "bottlenecks" in external transport, and promotes socio-economic development of the province and neighboring provinces in the South Central and Central Highlands regions.
It can be said that Binh Thuan has relatively large potential for developing maritime transport. Once properly constructed, planned, operated, and exploited, becoming a strong maritime province and prospering from the sea is a real possibility.
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