Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project

By tuoitre.vn - 29/08/2023

45 years ago, Duyen Hai district (Dong Nai) returned to Ho Chi Minh City, then regained the name Can Gio, since then Sac forest has been strongly revived, becoming the lungs of Ho Chi Minh City.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project

Cần Giờ - "the reserve" now becomes the seafront connecting Ho Chi Minh City to the world. The process of awakening Cần Giờ is always with the attitude of preservation, taking care according to the principle of exploiting potential while still maximizing the protection of the "lungs" not only of Ho Chi Minh City but also of the entire region.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project

"The main road from the Cần Giờ international transshipment port is not only about investment scale, and cargo volume but also helps Cần Giờ become a destination for economics, technology, and a "training ground" for high-level logistics human resources internationally...".

Mr. Trần Quang Lâm - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport - began a conversation with Tuổi Trẻ, after two important events related to the Cần Giờ international transshipment port:

The Prime Minister inspected the port construction site, and the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee concluded the project study for building the Cần Giờ international transshipment port. The goal of the "mega" port is not just construction, goods, or investment profit but the overall development of Cần Giờ, Ho Chi Minh City, and the whole country."

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project

* After the inspection trip to Cần Giờ, the Prime Minister concluded that the project proposal must be completed soon to submit to the Government. What is the progress of implementation now?

- At the beginning of 2023, to realize the resolutions on the development of the Southeast region and Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee assigned the Department of Transport to lead the proposal for the Cần Giờ transshipment port.

This is a very large project involving many fields: planning, environment, technology, human resource training... The city has established a task force led by the Director of the Department of Transport.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
The location of the Cần Giờ port is the Phú Lợi island area at the mouth of the Cái Mép River (Cần Giờ district), isolated from neighboring areas, now conveniently connected to maritime and waterway channels - Source: Portcoast

To receive comprehensive opinions, the city organized workshops and widely consulted ministries, local authorities, agencies, experts, and scientists...

Many opinions assess that with the current "favorable conditions," Ho Chi Minh City needs to quickly seize the opportunity to turn the potential-rich Cần Giờ port from a dream into reality.

The task force has also consulted leading international port construction experts and conducted practical research and exchanges on transshipment ports and free trade zones in Hai Phong City.

Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee submitted the project proposal to the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee for consideration and approval.

The Department of Transport has coordinated with many agencies to complete the project proposal, and on August 23, the People's Committee submitted it to the Prime Minister for review and decision, forming the basis for the next implementation steps.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
The location of the Cần Giờ port does not affect the core area of the Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve - Source: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport

* When did the idea and desire for an international port in Cần Giờ first arise?

- This is an important aspect that the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee emphasized, requiring the project proposal to update its historical context. Generations of leaders from twenty to thirty years ago oriented that the Cần Giờ area would have a large seaport, opening up international trade.

After the special inspection trip to Cần Giờ, the Prime Minister also emphasized that building the Cần Giờ international transshipment port is placed within the national marine economic development strategy. At the same time, the Cần Giờ international transshipment port and the Cái Mép - Thị Vải port must be considered as a single port cluster, not separated.

Thus, from Ho Chi Minh City to the central government, the idea of the Cần Giờ port has long been included in planning and consistently in the marine economic development strategy.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
The location of the Cần Giờ port does not affect the core area of the Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve - Source: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport

* What is meant by "favorable conditions" in this context?

- Favorable conditions are reflected in the natural conditions and location of the Phú Lợi island (Gò Ông Chó) at the mouth of the Cái Mép - Thị Vải River, close to international and regional maritime routes, with many advantages for maritime, shipbuilding, and logistics development.

The Cái Mép - Thị Vải channel is currently evaluated as the best in Vietnam, optimal for both domestic and international transshipment.

The Cần Giờ area has been oriented as a potential port location in the planning, not just recently mentioned. The port is located in the southern economic zone.

This is the most dynamic economic zone in Vietnam, so it is advantageous for attracting goods through the port and international transshipment goods. This area handles over 65% of the country's container goods, considered a "solid rear" supporting export-import goods for the port.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
When formed, the Cần Giờ international transshipment port will attract significant investment capital from businesses to build modern seaport infrastructure - Source: Portcoast

When consulted, experts from the University of Tokyo, Japan, highly evaluated the location, potential, and opportunities for forming a transshipment port here.

Experts noted a significant trend of container goods through the port and a trend for companies to invest in large container ships to increase carrying capacity for intercontinental routes.

Large ships and an expected increase in container goods require companies to find large, deep ports that are suitable in scale. Currently, no port in Vietnam meets these conditions.

Moreover, "favorable conditions" include favorable human resources, such as the National Assembly, the Politburo, and the Government's resolutions and policies on developing Cần Giờ, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Southeast region in general.

The attention of central ministries and agencies has also opened opportunities, prompting Ho Chi Minh City to study and implement the project.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
Ho Chi Minh City plans to study the intersection of the Bến Lức - Long Thành expressway with Rừng Sác road - Photo: LÊ PHAN

The project has also attracted investor interest, including MSC, the world's largest shipping company, proposing to invest and accelerate the progress to catch up with the maritime transport trend.

They have sent experts to Cần Giờ to survey and select a port construction site. The fact that a major global shipping company proposes to invest shows the attractiveness of the port location. With the above conditions, this is an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to attract investors with technology, resources, and advanced technology from developed countries.

* Besides economic roles, what other expectations does Ho Chi Minh City have for the Cần Giờ port?

- Establishing an international transshipment port in Cần Giờ, along with developing the transshipment transport network and forming a maritime trade hub in the region, will encourage other shipping companies to establish transshipment hubs in the area, elevating the Cái Mép - Cần Giờ port cluster to a new level, positioning it on the world maritime map.

From there, major maritime service, transport, logistics, banking, and insurance companies worldwide will come to establish offices and headquarters, promoting the formation of a regional financial center in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to calculations, the port will create jobs for 6,000 - 8,000 employees at the port and tens of thousands of workers in the logistics and other sectors...

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
When formed, the Cần Giờ international transshipment port will attract significant investment capital from businesses to build modern seaport infrastructure – Source: Portcoast

From here, our country's human resources will have the opportunity to participate in a globally scaled maritime operation chain.

In other words, the port not only opens trade with the world by sea but also opens trade in scientific and technological levels. In the future, our future generations will have the opportunity to participate in world-class maritime services operations right in Cần Giờ.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project

* Cần Giờ will be a "city in the forest" and "a forest in the city." Both the port and the environment need to be preserved. Is this a challenge?

- In the project proposal process, environmental impact issues have been thoroughly addressed and evaluated to ensure compliance with current regulations and the economic and occupational development orientation of Ho Chi Minh City.

Geographically, the river mouth area is in the transition zone of the mangrove biosphere reserve. Therefore, the project does not affect the core area of the Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
Currently, people traveling to and from Cần Giờ have to rely on the Bình Khánh ferry. Whenever a storm hits, the ferry has to stop, disrupting travel - Photo: LÊ PHAN

Regarding technology, the Government has set out a roadmap and criteria to build green ports. This is an opportunity for the city to grasp and apply green port technology early in Cần Giờ.

The port will operate 100% on electricity, with environmental protection considered an integral part of the construction, business, and port operation processes.

* With the increase in goods and ships, will the road traffic volume through Cần Giờ increase?

- Most goods entering the port are prioritized to go by waterway. Ships entering the port are primarily from foreign countries stopping to transfer goods to the mother ship. In fact, most of the export-import goods of Vietnam currently handled by MSC are transported to and from the port by waterway.

As for domestic export-import goods transported to seaports in the Southeast region, they are primarily transported by inland waterways and mostly by barge, as this area has a favorable river and waterway system.

Currently, 70 - 80% of export-import goods transported to and from the Cái Mép - Thị Vải port area on the opposite shore are transported by waterway.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
Rừng Sác road

Regarding roads, elevated roads will be studied to avoid environmental impact (expected in the 2030 phase).

This road is formed to meet the transportation needs of port workers, fuel transport, equipment, and frozen goods to and from industrial zones after the port is operational.

The Government has set a roadmap to convert all fossil fuel vehicles to clean energy vehicles in transportation activities by 2050.

This condition allows the city to implement earlier in Cần Giờ. Vehicles entering and leaving the port will be associated with green road transport criteria.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project

The future of Cần Giờ will not only have seaports and coastal urban areas, but the city also plans for this "oasis" to have a green lifestyle and modern transportation network.

Many mechanisms and plans are expected to create a strong boost for Cần Giờ's transportation to transform.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project

When asked "What does Cần Giờ need most?", the answer is a bridge. Currently, the road to Cần Giờ crosses the river by ferry. Hence, some people say, "You don't know Cần Giờ until you go, and when you do, you'll know it takes time to go."

That's the current situation. Imagine a near future when we travel to Cần Giờ, when it takes on the appearance of a resort city, an ecological tourism destination. In the evening, after work, we can take our family to Cần Giờ for dinner and a beach walk. From the city center, we can drive through District 7 along Huỳnh Tấn Phát road.

Upon reaching Soài Rạp River on the Nhà Bè side, we see that the old ferry has been replaced by a mangrove-shaped bridge, symbolizing Cần Giờ's development.

Crossing the bridge to Bình Khánh, the car continues smoothly on the expanded Rừng Sác boulevard. The wide road allows for a quick journey from the city center to the sea in just over half an hour... Late at night, the family leaves Cần Giờ to return home and rest, ready for work the next day.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
The Cần Giờ bridge, with a length of 3.4km and an investment of about 10 trillion VND, will be implemented under the BOT model and is expected to be submitted for investment approval at the end of this year and start construction on April 30, 2025. The Cần Giờ bridge will replace the Bình Khánh ferry, creating conditions to promote and develop the sea encroachment project and the Cần Giờ coastal urban area - Source: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport

The road to Cần Giờ will be even faster if the Rừng Sác road intersection with the Bến Lức - Long Thành expressway is built. When the Ho Chi Minh City ring road 3 and the Bến Lức - Long Thành expressway form a complete circle, people can follow the expressway and turn onto Rừng Sác road.

The city will also build an elevated road along Rừng Sác, so even with heavy traffic, the road will remain clear. Sea ferries and high-speed boats are also options for tourists to Cần Giờ when the idea of a sea bridge or tunnel connecting Cần Giờ - Vũng Tàu has not yet materialized.

The city is studying the connection of a metro line from the Cần Giờ sea encroachment urban area to metro line 4 (Thạnh Xuân - Hiệp Phước Industrial Zone) in Nhà Bè district. Then, instead of using personal vehicles, we can take metro line 4 to Nhà Bè and transfer to another train to Cần Giờ.

Along the way, you can admire the vast, poetic forests. After getting off the train, you can take public transportation or rent an electric vehicle to explore the area. During planning consultations, experts and scientists have also suggested building a small airport so that billionaires and businesspeople from the region can come here for weekend getaways.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project

The city also aims for Cần Giờ to become a coastal city characterized by green, smart, and environmentally friendly development.

Applying Resolution 98 on special mechanisms for Ho Chi Minh City, the city's Development Research Institute is coordinating with the Department of Transport to build a project and policies to support people and businesses in converting old vehicles to clean energy vehicles.

Initially, the focus will be on converting public transportation vehicles, buses, taxis, and public procurement. Along with that, the city is studying a pilot program to prioritize 100% electric vehicle use in the Cần Giờ area and some central areas.

Mega Story: Expanding towards the seafront with the Can Gio mega port project
Cần Giờ will use waterway transportation, but an 11km road including a bridge over the Lòng Tàu River connecting to Rừng Sác road, the Bến Lức - Long Thành expressway, and the elevated road along Rừng Sác road is also being studied. Source: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport

With new mechanisms, the city can completely apply a green transportation network right in Cần Giờ in the near future.

For example, when the Cần Giờ bridge is completed, there will be a buffer zone at Mỹ Khánh, where vehicles entering Cần Giờ, if not electric, will park. People traveling to Cần Giờ can take electric buses, electric taxis, or rent electric vehicles to travel to the seaside.

Cần Giờ will then have green transportation. It will no longer be a land of ferries and rivers but still an "oasis" - a green, clean, and livable "oasis."

AUTHOR: ĐỨC PHÚ - VIỄN SỰ
PRESENTATION: SONG UYÊN

Source: oitre.vn

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