Development of marine economic and the “rise” of deep water ports

By SGGP - 17/11/2008

Succeeding the dredging project on Soai Rap channel for deep water port in Nha Be District, Ho Chi Minh city, the study on excavation of Quan Chanh Bo channel for the purpose of accessing vessels to Mekong river delta was executed at the beginning of 2008 year, and at the ending days of this year, the Government allowed Formasa Plastic Group (Taiwan – China) to carry out the study on Son Duong deep water port in Ha Tinh Province.

Driving force for Ha Tinh Province

Son Duong deep water port is arranged in the sea area of Ha Tinh Province. The port is shared its border with Vung Ang Port in the North, Son Duong island in the South. The port is named by such island. This project is invested by Formasa Plastic group (Taiwan - China) with total investment level of 8 billion USD in phase 1 and of 16 billion USD in phase 2. One of the ever biggest FDI projects in Vietnam. In addition to the deepwater ports with about 10 terminals, capable of accommodating 30,000DWT vessels, there also exist gas facilities, steel mills. Once completion, they shall contribute greatly to the economic development of Ha Tinh and nearby regions.

On early days of November 2008, following with experts of Portcoast and the firm entrusted by Formasa Plastic group to be main consultant for geological, topographic and hydro-meteorological survey and design of Son Duong deep water port, we arrived to Ha Tinh Province. Stepping on the boat used to access wave, water and flow measurement stations arranged by Port Coast in the sea, we felt a little bit nervous.

The boat rocked together with stronger and stronger wind and wave, and heavy rain. When the boat arrived to the stations, our heads was seem to be blowed up, we could not open our eyes because of shock, we all were seasick and laid completely on boat deck! The only thing that could hear at that time was the acclamation of Portcoast's experts when they saw the supply boat.

According to Mr. Tran Van Chung, Manager of Ha Tinh Formosa Plastic Management Office, PortCoast constructed four (4) hydrological measuring stations, three (3) wave measuring stations, one (1) water level measuring station and one (1) wind measuring station in the sea area of Son Duong port. The operation time of those stations operated in line with the requirements such as 1 year for both wave and wind measuring stations, and 6 months for water level measuring stations.

Those stations had to operate continuously, regardless of rainfall, storm, day or night. It is explainable that there are many young engineers working at Port Coast, since only they can hold bravely on to such locations for a long time. The involvement of Portcoast in a project owned by Formasa Plastic Group is our pride. Passing many foreign consultants, Portcoast is a local consulting firm, becomes a main consultant for preparation of deepwater port for Formasa Plastic Group is one of the big groups in the world.

Such event proves that young staff, especially in coastal engineering of Vietnam, has accumulated qualification to shoulder the duties of maritime economic development which is calling by the Party and Government. Initial study results made by Portcoast show that the expected area of Son Duong port which is characterized by natural depth of 12m-20m and low sediment, absolutely meets requirements on deepwater port construction on large scale.

Sai Gon Port's trade mark and new wind gust

According to the plan approved by Ho Chi Minh city People's Committee on the occasion of opening navigation channel on Soai Rap river on last November, the project owner Tan Thuan Investment Promotion Company (IPC) together with Port Coast shall carry out a study on dredging Soai Rap channel to 12m accessible to 50,000 DWT fully loaded vessel and 70,000DWT partially loaded vessel (utilizing tide).

Opening a navigation channel on Soai Rap river in combination with development of deep water port in Cai Mep - Thi Vai (Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province) is regarded as a right decision made by the Government. With the history of more than 300 years of establishment and development, Sai Gon / Ho Chi Minh city has close relation with trading activities, in which deep water port system in Sai Gon city plays a very important role. As a result, the continuous development of deep water port in Ho Chi Minh city after removal of Sai Gon port system from inner city, shall pave the way development of Ho Chi Minh city.

Sai Gon port system does not has the above significance, for hundred years of operation, it is generally called Sai Gon Port, a common name for many shipping companies in the world and a trademark for all maritime trading activities in Ho Chi Minh city. This traditional factor certainly shall contribute to the newly-established port system in Cai Mep - Thi Vai.

Paving the way for the development of Mekong river delta

If there is not any change, on next 24 November, Ministry of Transport shall organize a conference on opinion contribution by scientists on solutions for large tonnage vessels to Mekong river delta. There are three trends of opinion related to this matter such as dredging and utilization of Dinh Anh channel; dredging and utilization of Tran De channel and excavation of a bypass channel connecting Quan Chanh Bo channel to the sea. Even though, there are many different points of view, scientists basically agree with the fact that it is necessary to provide a navigational channel enabling large tonnage vessels accessibly to Mekong river delta, since it is vital condition for development of such focal economic region at this time.

The willingness as shown in the conference on opinion contribution by scientists reveals that the Government is urgently speeding up the economic development of Mekong river delta in particular and maritime economic development of Vietnam in particular. In addition to three above mentioned ports, the Government also assigned the Ministry of Transport to re-make the development planning of sea port system in Vietnam in direction of more suitable distribution and utilization of regional advantages in national economic development. That planning is expected to complete at the beginning of 2009 year.

(Translated by Portcoast)