Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has recently approved proposals from relevant authorities and investors related to speeding up the rate of building international seaports.

A view of  coast of Van Phong Bay (Photo by Lao Dong Online)

To speed up the building of the $200 million Van Phong International Transit Port in Khanh Hoa province, deputy Prime Minster Hoang Trung Hai approved the Ministry of Transport proposal to authorize Vietnam National Shipping Lines to make direct decisions on related issues in future.

Mr. Hai has also allowed Vietnam National Shipping Lines to calculate the total amount of investment capital needed for the project and then outline schemes to mobilize sufficient funds for it.

Regarding the choice of contractors for tendering, especially those for building the first two wharfs, Mr. Hai has requested the Ministry of Transport to call for prestigious and experienced foreign investors that have enough financial capability to join the project.

When completed, Van Phong will be one of the largest ports in Asia, which can receive container ships of up to 10,000 -12,000 tons.

Mr. Hai has also assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to approve the site where the 2,640 MW Van Phong Thermo power plant will be built in Khanh Hoa province.

The project will cost $3.8 billion and is scheduled to be commercially operational by the end of 2014 and be completed 2015.

For the Hai Phong International Gateway Port, Mr. Hai has approved relevant authorities’ proposal that $8 million be used for the upgrading the port’s facilities to make it ready for the task of calling for ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) for the second phase of building.

Located in Cat Hai District, in the north of Hai Phong City, the 472 hectare port is worth over $435 million. It has a total berth length of 3,200 meters for vessels with a capacity of 80,000 DWT. The port’s cargo capacity is 35m tons a year.