A groundbreaking ceremony for Cai Mep-Thi Vai International Port took place in Tan Thanh district, southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, on Oct. 14.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai stressed that once the port is completed, it will not only serve as a gateway to the southern key economic region, but also a large-scale international transit port for both the Southeast Asian region and the world.

In the short-term, the port will help to reduce the volume of import-export stock at local ports as well as speed up the moving of seaports out of Ho Chi Minh City, Hai said.

The project is estimated to cost more than 11.47 trillion VND (695 million USD), sourced from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Government of Vietnam.

Two wharfs capable of receiving 80,000 DWT vessels, plus two others with the capacity to accommodate 50,000 DWT ships will be built, with work expected to be completed in 2012.

The project will also cover the construction of an 8.3 km road linking the port with highway No. 51, the installation of necessary equipment at the port, and the dredging of a 37.2 km canal.

Source: VNA

Photo: chinhphu