March 2021, after inspecting the largest Cai Mep-Thi Vai deep-water port cluster in the country, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting with leaders of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province on the economic situation - society, including discussing orientations for seaport development in general and Cai Mep port in particular in the coming time.

Also attending were Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, leaders of a number of ministries, branches and localities in the Southeast region.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc surveyed at Cai Mep - Thi Vai port. Photo: VNA

Infrastructure entanglement

Ba Ria Vung Tau is identified as the gateway to the great sea of ​​the Southeast region (the economic locomotive of Vietnam, contributing to 33% of the country’s GDP) and of Vietnam, integrating directly. connecting with the trans-oceanic sea routes.

The development planning of Vietnam’s seaport system has identified Ba Ria - Vung Tau seaport as a national general port, an international gateway (type IA), taking on the role of an international transshipment port. Together with Hai Phong seaport, Ba Ria - Vung Tau forms two important poles in Vietnam’s seaport development with great advantages such as having both natural conditions for port development and a large port rear. From these two seaports has formed an important economic corridor connecting the most important economic centers of the country (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) and connecting internationally with China and Cambodia.

Over the years, the volume of goods has grown steadily; In 2020 alone, the volume of Ba Ria - Vung Tau seaport will reach nearly 113 million tons, including more than 7.5 million TEU containers, accounting for 16% of the country’s total cargo and 34% of the total container cargo through Vietnam’s seaports. . Successfully received one of the world’s largest container ships today with a tonnage of 214,121 DWT, thereby enhancing the position of Ba Ria - Vung Tau seaport and of Vietnam.

However, Vietnam’s seaport system in general and Ba Ria - Vung Tau seaport in particular still have certain limitations and weaknesses such as: Vision has not kept up with international maritime development trends; weak connectivity and lack of capacity (including hardware connection infrastructure - transport infrastructure, logistics infrastructure such as inland ports, depot and software - customs and quarantine services...); lack of breakthrough mechanisms and policies to promote maritime economy, promote transshipment and attract resources...

Leaders of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province determined that they would continue to focus on key economic sectors, namely industry, seaport system, tourism and high-tech agriculture. In particular, the issue of exploiting and promoting the seaport system, enhancing connectivity with Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai province and other localities in the Southeast region is considered a key issue in the coming period.

Leaders of Ba Ria - Vung Tau said that the requirement for investment in infrastructure connecting the port with economic centers in the Southern Key Economic Zone is still an issue that needs to continue to be paid special attention. From Ba Ria - Vung Tau connecting with the provinces in the southern key economic region and the Southwest region, there is only National Highway 51, leading to frequent overcrowding.

In order to promote the role of the deep-water port system in Cai Mep - Thi Vai area, create a driving force for growth and improve the overall growth efficiency of the whole region, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province proposes to the Prime Minister and the Ministries and central branches continue to pay attention to investment in transport infrastructure projects connecting inter-regions.

Some comments at the meeting also suggested dredging the river channel, increasing the depth to welcome larger ships, continuing to deploy synchronously the infrastructure connecting traffic to the deep-water port cluster, connecting the road with the system. system of highways, Phuoc An bridge; I hope there will be a railway connecting the port area to the national railway soon, including the problem that the goods in Cai Mep have to be moved to Ho Chi Minh City to go through customs procedures is still too much (currently more than 90%), causing an increase in traffic volume. logistics costs…

According to the leader of the Ministry of Transport, Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster and Long Thanh airport are the two most important works of the Southern Key Economic Zone. The ministry determined to focus on investing in key projects, including this port cluster. Currently, the channel to the port has a depth of -14.5m, which can accommodate ships of 100,000 tons, to compete in the area, the Ministry supports dredging to reach a minimum depth of -15.5m.

Besides, according to the master plan to 2030, Con Dao district will welcome 300,000 visitors; However, in 2019, Con Dao district welcomed nearly 397,000 visitors, exceeding the forecast to 2030 of the approved plan. Provincial leaders said that it is necessary to invest in infrastructure in Con Dao district, especially power supply.

Regarding the issue of power supply to Con Dao, one of the famous landmarks on the tourist map of Vietnam with the historical monument of Con Dao Prison, a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the Ministry has calculated a plan to bring electricity to the grid. The country goes to the island by 110KV transmission line, going underground. Total investment capital is about 4,800 billion VND.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc worked with leaders of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. (Photo: VNA)

Agree to dredge the navigation channel to a depth of -15.5m

Noting the comments, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the Southeast region’s development is thanks to the port. In the past time, the growth of the seaports of Ba Ria - Vung Tau is very encouraging, about 20%/year.

Given that there should be sufficient conditions for port development such as traffic connection infrastructure, customs procedures, a strong enough fleet and a method of cargo clearance, the Prime Minister agreed with the Ministry of Transport to give priority to dredging the channel from buoy number 0 to Cai Mep container terminal reaches a depth of -15.5m for large ships to enter and exit easily. Organizing inland waterways connecting, especially with the Mekong Delta, planning a system of cargo terminals, inland ports, and providing logistics services.

The Prime Minister supported the proposal to soon invest in the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway, complete the construction of Phuoc An port which has been credited, and facilitate the transportation of goods to this port. "If only favorable natural conditions are available, such as a deep-water port, but if traffic is not resolved, there is no way to develop regionally and internationally." Ministries and localities need to study the Bien Hoa - Cai Mep railway project as an extension of the North-South railway to transport goods from regions to Cai Mep - Thi Vai.

Research and invest in logistics infrastructure, giving priority to Cai Mep Ha logistics center to promote port services in Cai Mep. Research and build a cargo distribution center connecting Long Thanh international airport and Cai Mep - Thi Vai seaport in order to combine air and water transport.

In order to quickly and conveniently clear customs for this area, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Finance to soon form a centralized specialized inspection center with modern and complete equipment to promptly clear goods.

The planning of Phu My town or Vung Tau city should pay attention to the factor that these places will become the headquarters of the system of shipping agents, operators, transshipment agents, agents. insurance, banking and financial services create a connection platform between seaports and ship owners and service providers.

Considering that industrial development to create local sources of goods is very important, the Prime Minister agreed to study the establishment of a free trade zone in Cai Mep so that corporations can move the global supply chain here to take advantage of this. deep water port.

"We determine this is a deep-water port with great potential of one of the world’s leading ports, we must have a new mindset in development," said the Prime Minister, assigning tasks to the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Planning and Investment, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province is highly focused and all measures to develop faster, more synchronously, and more competitively to develop the seaport and logistics system in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, first of all Cai Mep - Thi Vai is on par with the region by 2030, competes on par with Singapore and becomes a world-class seaport hub by 2045. “In 2045, we define our vision for the future. Looking at a powerful Vietnam, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province with its seaport and logistics system plays a very important role.

With that goal, the master plan on development of Vietnam’s seaport system in the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, should be urgently completed and submitted to the Prime Minister for approval, thoroughly overcoming limitations. Inadequacies in planning, investment, development, management and exploitation of seaports, awakening the available potentials of our country with more than 3000 km of coastline.

Completing multimodal transport connectivity, in which seaports act as the focal point to ensure unblocking bottlenecks for the country’s socio-economic development. Prioritize dynamic transport infrastructure connecting production and consumption centers to seaports.

There are breakthrough mechanisms and policies for maritime economic development, focusing on seaport exploitation. Priority is given to the proposal of a port management model, to attract resources and promote international transshipment.

Researching policies on transportation, developing Vietnam’s fleet to be proactive in transporting goods for economic development.

Promote the application of technology to develop ports in depth, promote investment in green ports, smart ports, optimize the use of land resources, develop large ports with a concentrated nature to orient the development of the port infrastructure. connected transport layer. "Don’t let Vietnam’s seaports become obsolete".

Agreeing with the policy, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to propose a specific plan on power supply to Con Dao.