The Ministry of Transport plans to develop Tran De seaport in Soc Trang Province into a national deep-water seaport with large scale by using private investment.

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The made the statement at a meeting on adjusting port plans in the southern province of Soc Trang held on Tuesday in Ha Noi.

The construction of Tran De seaport will not use State funds, The said.

“The ministry will build a legal framework, create mechanisms and announce a clear development plan on deep-water ports in the province to call for private investment like the Van Don international airport,” Giao thong (Transport) newspaper quoted The as saying.

This project is estimated to need total capital of US$4.1 billion, according to the Construction Consultation Joint Stock Company of Maritime Building (CMB). When the seaport comes into operation, it will be able to receive vessels with capacity from 50,000 DWT.

The said now, both the east and the west of the Mekong Delta (Cuu Long Delta) do not have any large general ports. The major seaports are inland ports depending on rivers such as Tien River, Hau River and Ganh Hao River.

Exports and imports must be shipped via the Can Tho port and the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port, or via the Can Tho port and ports in Singapore. That has made increased transport costs for these activities, reducing the competitiveness of goods.

Therefore, it is urgent to build a large seaport, creating a breakthrough for the whole Mekong Delta region.

If a large seaport is built in Soc Trang, all import and export goods will be transported faster, increasing revenue, he said. The seaport will create opportunities to develop industrial parks for farming regions with low efficiency. — VNS