Construction of Vietnam's Thi Vai-Cai Mep international seaport starts
17 October 2008
Construction of Vietnam's Thi Vai-Cai Mep International Port started this week in Tan Thanh district in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, according to local news agency Nhan Dan.
Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, leaders of the Ministry of Transport and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and contractors were present at the ground breaking ceremony.
Funding for the project, totalling in VND 11.5 trillion (US$ 694 million) is being provided by the Japan Bank for International Co-operation and Vietnam's State budget.
The project consists of two wharfs for container vessels of up to 80000 DWT and handling capacity of 700000 TEUs a year. There will also be two other new wharfs, which can accommodate 50000 DWT vessels with a handling capacity of 1.6 to 2 million tonnes of cargo a year.
The project will also include dredging work, buoys and transport signs for a 37.2 km canal, the supply and installation of necessary equipment at the port, and construction of a 8.3 km-long road linking the port with National Highway 51.
Construction is expected to finish in 2012.
