Hai Phong International Gateway Port is defined as one of the country’s key infrastructure projects that upon completion in 2016 will play a part in transforming Vietnam into a strong sea nation.

The port will have modern cargo-handling equipment, and be capable of receiving container ships of up to 8,000 TEUs . Core infrastructure will be built in Lach Huyen port area in Cat Hai island district, according to a detailed plan that took nine years to prepare.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung underscored the importance of the port’s construction to the long-term socio-economic development of Hai Phong and the region, particularly when the existing Hai Phong port is overloaded and fails to meet the growing demand of marine transportation.

The Government leader urged relevant agencies to exert efforts to complete the work as scheduled. He also thanked the Japanese Government for its financial and technical support, expressing his belief that the strategic partnership between the two countries will reap further positive results for the common goal of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Construction of the port is divided into two parts. Part one is managed by the Vietnam Marine Administration with investment of over VND18.6 trillion (US$885 million) sourced from Official Development Assistance and the State budget. It covers the building of port infrastructure.

The second part, a joint venture of Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises with more than VND6.57 trillion in investment, will build two wharves with a total length of 750 metres, capable of handling 100,000-tonne container ships.

Once operating, Hai Phong International Gateway Port will direct exports from the country’s northern region to US and European markets and vice versa without having to go through Singapore or Hong Kong’s ports.

VNA