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New port development plan would create system of ‘port authorities’
A plan for coordinated seaport development from now to 2030 will be submitted to the Prime Minister in June 2009, according to a report in ‘VnEconomy.’
The model of ‘port authorities’
Nguyen Manh Ung, Deputy General Director of ‘Portcoast,’ says a nearly completed plan will introduce new principles on the development of the port system in Vietnam, aiming to settle existing problems and help Vietnam more deeply integrate into the world.
The location and scale of seaports, whether large or small, is to be decided after thorough consideration of the natural conditions and the economic development demand in a region. There will be integrated planning including the road infrastructure and water and power supply. Ung said that this principle will help resolve the problem that every province wants its own port.
The new programme on seaport development calls for stronger investment in infrastructure. Vietnam will need to invest not only in building wharves (the norm now), but also in channels and breakwaters.
The planners suggest Vietnam adopt a system of ‘port authorities’ to help better manage the ports in the region and avoid spontaneous port development. The ‘port authorities’ will not replace local authorities, but rather, representatives from local authorities will be members of the port authorities.
Hai Phong to build four new wharves
Not long ago, the Ministry of Transport and Hai Phong City People’s Committee agreed that Hai Phong Port will remain the international gateway port (Class I-A), one of the national general port and the key port in the north.
Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Chairman of the Hai Phong City’s People’s Committee, said that four more wharf areas will be built in Hai Phong Port: Lach Huyen, Dinh Vu, and Cam River in Hai Phong City and Chanh River in adjacent Yen Hung district of Quang Ninh province.
Other small specialized ports will serve as the satellite ports belonging to the Hai Phong seaport system.
Decision No 16 dated January 28, 2008 of the Prime Minister foresees that Hai Phong Port will be one of the 17 first class ports, with a total of 28 wharfs
HCM City’s ports will develop in Nha Be District
The Ministries of Transport, Finance and other concerned agencies have also reached agreement with the HCM City People’s Committee on the development of the ports of the southern metropolis. They agreed to set the highest targets possible.
People’s Committee Deputy Chairman Nguyen Thanh Tai reported that despite the current economic downturn, the volume of goods going through the city’s ports remains high, growing at a 10 percent annual rate.
New port facilities and a ‘new town’ will mainly be developed in the Hiep Phuoc area of Nha Be district, southeast of the HCM City center.
There is no shortage of domestic and foreign investors for new port facilities. have been flocking to build deep water ports in the locality.
As such, the moves to accelerate port development in HCM City fit the scenario for Vietnam’s port development programme to 2030 that is now being compiled by the Ministry of Construction.
VietNamNet, TBKTVN
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