A view of the Nghi Son Economic Zone in Thanh Hoa Province. An international port will be built in the zone with investment capital of US$260.26 million. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuan

THANH HOA (Biz Hub)  — The Nghi Son Iron and Steel Corporation started the construction of its VND5.85-trillion (US$260.26 million) international port yesterday in the central Thanh Hoa Province's Nghi Son Economic Zone.

The port would be an important part of the Nghi Son Iron and Steel Complex, the company's chairman and General director Nguyen Bao Giang said.

It will cover 71 ha and will have a storehouse and nine wharves with a total length of 2,250m. It is expected to receive ships carrying loads up to 50,000 tonnes and will handle 30 million tonnes of goods each year.

The first three wharves are expected to become operational in October next year, the next two in 2017 and the construction of the whole complex will be completed by 2021.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said at the groundbreaking ceremony of the port yesterday that it was a key project of the Nghi Son Economic Zone, which is known as the engine for the development of the northern section of the central region.

The project would help to connect the sea port with other transport modes to meet the transportation demand of industries and infrastructure development in the zone, he said.

Deputy PM Hai said the investors and builders should strictly follow the project plan and ensure labour safety and quality of the work.

He also asked the relevant agencies, including the provincial People's Committee and the transport ministry, to help investors address difficulties in project implementation.

Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu and former President Nguyen Minh Triet also attended the groundbreaking ceremony. — VNS