The Nghe An Department of Industry and Trade responds to voters' opinions regarding the safety of ships passing under the Nghi Thiet oil depot wharf.
"Voters in Cua Lo town have reported that the Nghi Thiet oil depot's pier was destroyed by a storm, and some of its pillars remain submerged underwater. This poses a risk of damage to property and loss of life for fishermen when passing ships collide with them. They request that this issue be considered and resolved to ensure the safety of fishermen when they go out to sea."
*Reply:On November 8, 2024, the Department of Industry and Trade, in coordination with the Department of Transport, the Nghe An Maritime Port Authority, and the People's Committee of Cua Lo town, conducted an inspection and survey at the Nghi Thiet oil depot port area in Nghi Thiet commune, Nghi Loc district, and held a meeting with Thien Minh Duc Group Joint Stock Company. Based on the results of the on-site inspection and reports from relevant agencies and units, the Department of Industry and Trade responds to the voters' request as follows:
Regarding the legal procedures for the operation of the DKC oil and gas storage terminal.
The DKC port and oil depot in Nghi Thiet commune, owned by Thien Minh Duc Group Joint Stock Company, is a special-grade oil and gas facility, strictly protected according to legal regulations. The facility has been operational since 2019 and was officially opened by the Vietnam Maritime Administration under Decision No. 33/QD-CHHVN dated January 17, 2019, announcing the opening of the 49,000 DWT berth and pipeline system.(618m of above-ground pipeline system and 1,020m of underground pipeline system)It has been assessed by the Department of Quality Management and Transport Construction in Document No. 1302/CQLXD-HHĐT dated May 15, 2018.
On the other hand, Thien Minh Duc Group Joint Stock Company was granted Land Use Right Certificate No. CC195982 dated August 19, 2016, by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and subsequently reissued Land Use Right Certificate No. CX268799 dated January 4, 2022. Accordingly, Thien Minh Duc Group Joint Stock Company is responsible for using, exploiting, and managing the entire area of land and water allocated to it in accordance with regulations, and is responsible for implementing measures to ensure maritime safety, maritime security, and prevent environmental pollution in the DKC oil and gas port area as stipulated in Government Decree No. 58/2017/ND-CP dated May 10, 2017, detailing some articles of the Vietnamese Maritime Code on the management of maritime activities, and Government Decree No. 13/2011/ND-CP dated February 11, 2011, on the safety of onshore oil and gas facilities. and the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities.
Therefore, the DKC oil depot and port is a specialized facility licensed to serve the oil and gas business, and all fishing vessels are strictly prohibited from operating within the port area. Furthermore, the DKC port and oil depot in Nghi Thiet commune, Nghi Loc district, is located within the boundaries of the Southeast Economic Zone and is under the state management responsibility of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board. Port operations are under the management of the Nghe An Maritime Port Authority.
Regarding the concerns raised by voters in Cua Lo town: The Nghi Thiet oil depot's pier was destroyed by the storm, and some of its pillars remain submerged underwater. This poses a risk of damage to property and loss of life for fishermen when passing ships collide with them.
On July 17, 2017, Typhoon No. 2 directly hit Nghe An province, causing damage to the port area. Approximately 600 meters of the under-construction approach bridge to the 49,000 DWT port were destroyed by the storm. To ensure the safety of the more than 1,000-meter-long pipeline system carrying petroleum and methanol chemicals for the 49,000 DWT port during a major storm, the pipeline section had to be redesigned and an underground installation plan implemented. Therefore, immediately after the storm, the Nghe An Maritime Port Authority requested Thien Minh Duc Group Joint Stock Company to organize the salvage and removal of all bridge piers and spans submerged underwater to ensure the safety of construction vehicles and the pipeline system before the Nghi Thiet DKC petroleum storage facility project commenced operations.
Since the port began operations, the DKC General Depot has consistently complied with international standards and national regulations on maritime safety and security, oil and gas facility safety, and has regularly inspected, maintained, and repaired infrastructure to promptly detect and address potential issues affecting the safe operation of the facility. Large-tonnage vessels transporting petroleum products to and from the port operate normally, and there have never been any incidents involving collisions with fishing vessels or maritime safety and security issues in the port area, as reflected in the voters' concerns.
