Nghe An Department of Industry and Trade responds to voters' opinions on the issue of safety of ships passing through Nghi Thiet petroleum depot wharf
“Voters of Cua Lo town reported that the Nghi Thiet oil depot wharf was destroyed by a storm, and currently some of the bridge pillars are still underwater, which could cause damage to property and the lives of fishermen when passing by. We recommend that this be considered and resolved to ensure the safety of fishermen when going out to sea.”
*Reply:On November 8, 2024, the Department of Industry and Trade presided over and coordinated with the Department of Transport, Nghe An Maritime Port Authority, and the People's Committee of Cua Lo town to conduct an inspection and survey at the Nghi Thiet petroleum depot wharf area, Nghi Thiet commune, Nghi Loc district, and had 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 responded to voters' recommendations as follows:
On legal procedures for the operation of DKC petroleum depot wharf
The DKC port and petroleum depot in Nghi Thiet commune, owned by Thien Minh Duc Group Joint Stock Company, is a special-grade petroleum project, strictly protected according to the provisions of law. The project has been in operation since 2019 and was issued by the Vietnam Maritime Administration in Decision No. 33/QD-CHHVN dated January 17, 2019 on the announcement of the opening of the 49,000DWT wharf and pipeline system.(618m above ground and 1,020m underground pipeline system)has been appraised by the Department of Quality Management and Traffic Works 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 by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment on August 19, 2016 and was granted a replacement Land Use Right Certificate No. CX268799 on January 4, 2022, accordingly, Thien Minh Duc Group Joint Stock Company is responsible for using, exploiting and managing the entire land and water surface area assigned according to regulations, is responsible for implementing measures to ensure maritime safety, maritime security and prevent environmental pollution in the area of DKC Petroleum Port according to the provisions of Decree No. 58/2017/ND-CP dated May 10, 2017 of the Government detailing a number of articles of the Vietnam Maritime Code on management of maritime activities, Decree No. 13/2011/ND-CP dated February 11, 2011 of the Government on safety of oil and gas works on land and the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities.
Thus, the DKC petroleum depot wharf is a specialized construction licensed to serve petroleum business activities, so all fishing boats are strictly prohibited from traveling within the wharf area. In addition, the DKC petroleum depot and port in Nghi Thiet commune, Nghi Loc district are located within the Southeast Economic Zone, under the state management responsibility of the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board. Regarding wharf activities, they are under the management of Nghe An Maritime Port Authority.
Regarding the reflection of voters of Cua Lo town: Nghi Thiet oil depot wharf was destroyed by a storm, currently some bridge pillars are still underwater, when passing ships crash into them, there is a risk of causing damage to property and the lives of fishermen.
On July 17, 2017, storm No. 2 made landfall directly in Nghe An, causing damage to the port area, including the collapse of nearly 600m of the under-construction approach bridge of the 49,000DWT wharf. To ensure the safety of the 49,000DWT wharf's gasoline and methanol pipeline system, which is more than 1,000m long, during a big storm, the pipeline section must be redesigned and an underground plan must be implemented. Therefore, immediately after the storm, Nghe An Maritime Port Authority requested Thien Minh Duc Group Joint Stock Company to salvage and clear all bridge piers and bridge spans under the sea to ensure the safety of construction vehicles and the pipeline system before the Nghi Thiet DKC Petroleum Depot project comes into operation.
Since the wharf was put into operation until now, DKC General Warehouse has always complied with international standards and national regulations on maritime safety, security, oil and gas project safety and inspection, maintenance and maintenance of infrastructure are carried out regularly and periodically to detect and promptly fix potential problems affecting the operational safety of the project; large tonnage ships transporting gasoline and oil to the wharf move normally and there have never been any incidents related to collisions, collisions of fishing boats or loss of maritime safety and security in the wharf area as reflected by voters.
