The contract, worth VND21.3 billion (over US$1 million), will be implemented within 10 months. It is hoped that the contract will help the Dung Quat EZ Authority (DEZA) build a long-term relationship with its Japanese counterparts.

While vowing to supply sufficient capital and co-operate with the contractors to complete the project as scheduled, DEZA also called for the contractor to comply with the general seaport plan approved by the Government.

"The planning of Dung Quat II Port is vital to the development of Dung Quat II heavy industry complex, which is key to the expansion of the Dung Quat EZ," said Pham Nhu Ro, deputy chairman of the provincial People’s Committee and head of the Dung Quat Economic Zone Authority.

The port will be developed in Dung Quat II Bay, which connects to around 5,000ha used for developing heavy industries and 2,000ha for support industries. It is also expected to handle ships of 250,000-300,000 DWT which are used to carry crude oil, iron ore and coal. That will create a foundation for the development of the Dung Quat II heavy industry complex.

The Dung Quat EZ plans to attract US$13 billion in investment capital by 2015, of which $8 billion would be disbursed, pursuant to the zone master plan for 2012-15 approved by the Provincial People’s Committee.

In addition, the province aims to handle 25 million tonnes of cargo through its port and generate approximately 20,000 jobs for local people, contributing VND16 trillion ($761 million) to the State budget.

The zone would raise its yearly industrial production value to 17-19 per cent in the next three years.

The province would allocate more resources to develop Dung Quat EZ into a multi-sectoral economic zone, focusing on developing petrochemistry, chemicals, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, metallurgy, light industry, the Dung Quat deep seaport and Chu Lai Airport.

Over the past 15 years, the EZ has attracted 115 projects with total registered capital of more than $8 billion. In the first five months of the year, it has licensed four new projects valued at VND4.6 trillion ($2.2 billion).

Last year, the zone received approval from the Government to expand to over 45,000ha by 2025.