The Government has approved the proposal of Hai Phong City’s People’s Committee to build two new container terminals at Lach Huyen International Gateway Port in northern coastal Hai Phong City.

In the document 366/TT-VPCP issued on September 22, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc approved the city committee’s proposal which allowed Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company under Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines), to implement the construction of terminal No3 and No4 at the port.

The terminals, with total investment capital of VND6.9 trillion (US$296 million), will have a total length of 750 metres and have the capacity to handle vessels of up to 100,000 DWT (8,000 TEU).

The construction of the container terminals No3 and No4 aims to replace Hoang Dieu terminal, which will be removed to allow construction of Hoang Van Thu and Nguyen Trai bridges and the development of urban area as planned.

Hai Phong Port JSC will build a barge terminal for domestic cargo containers where 100-160 TEU barges can dock. The city also plans to develop a logistic centre for commodity handling, storage, processing and distribution at Lach Huyen Port.

Nguyen Canh Tinh, acting general director of Vinalines said the construction of the two terminals would be a strategic step of Vinalines in achieving the goal of accommodating 30 per cent of cargo at ports in the country by 2020. It would also help the company and Vinalines play key roles in the sea transport, seaport and maritime services.

The construction project needs capital of VND 6.9 trillion. Of that, 45 per cent will come from the company’s fund and the rest from credit loans.

Currently, Lach Huyen International Port has completed two container terminals No1 and No2 and put them into operation in May. The two terminals have the length of 375 metres per terminal and can serve cargo vessels with the capacity of 50,000 DWT (6,000 TEU).

Phuc said the construction of these ports should be carried out quickly and legally, ensuring the development of the city’s maritime sector.

He asked the Ministry of Transport to work with the city’s People’s Committee and relevant authorities and units to continue studying and adjusting the master plan of seaports of Lach Huyen Port to connect it with other modes of transport in the city, and work with the city’s infrastructure development plan and accommodate large vessels.

Earlier, the Ministry of Transport approved a master plan for seaports in the northern part of the country by 2020.

Under the master plan, Lach Huyen Port is on the list of investment priorities to serve ships of up to 100,000 DWT. By 2020, it is expected to have nine terminals with a combined length of 3,000 metres. – VNS