Construction of Cua Lo seaport connecting with Laos and Northeastern Thailand

(Baonghean.vn) - The planning of Cua Lo Port Cluster was directed by the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee to be implemented according to the conclusion of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during a working session in Nghe An in February 2017. On that basis, the units forecasted the goods passing through the port to plan the port area, functional areas, traffic connecting with technical infrastructure and solve environmental and ecological issues.

The upgrading of Cua Lo Port Cluster will effectively serve the economic development of Nghe An. Photo: Nguyen Son

The goal of planning Cua Lo port cluster is to become a modern international seaport, receiving general cargo ships, containers, specialized ships with a capacity of up to 100,000 DWT in the future, meeting the import and export needs of Nghe An province, neighboring provinces in the North Central region, attracting a part of goods from Laos and Northeastern Thailand. In addition, taking into account the international passenger wharf serving tourism development, which can receive ships of 3-5 thousand passengers.

Developing Cua Lo port is associated with protecting the marine environment. Prioritizing the development of the port to exploit clean goods, mainly containers. Aiming for the most modern, cleanest seaport with the best service in the region, receiving international passenger ships most conveniently. The planning is calculated up to 2030 and vision to 2050.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee chaired the meeting. Photo: Nguyen Son

The development process needs to respect and preserve the works of projects that are in the construction phase. The planning of ports is associated with the development of land funds for the corresponding ports to ensure the most favorable conditions for port operation and exploitation, while creating conditions for the formation of a post-port cargo distribution center (logistics area); The planning also ensures the most reasonable and convenient connection with existing infrastructure, especially road, railway and waterway infrastructure; at the same time, the planning must ensure and have absolute safety solutions for fire prevention and fighting, ensuring isolation distances from liquid cargo ports (petroleum).

It is estimated that by 2030, Cua Lo Port Cluster will have about 18 wharves/3569.5m2, land use area of ​​158 ha; by 2040, there will be about 23 wharves/4729.5m2, land use area of ​​252 ha; by 2050, there will be about 32 wharves/6789.5m2, land use area of ​​355 ha. When the upgrade is completed, it will ensure the entry and exit of ships over 100,000 DWT and the cargo handling capacity of 65 - 85 million tons.

Cua Lo Port is planned to develop into an international port cluster, actively connecting with countries in the region and continents - Photo by Nguyen Son

At the meeting, many opinions said that the upgrading of Cua Lo port should be placed in connection with Dong Hoi, Nghi Thiet, Ben Thuy, and Cua Hoi ports of Nghe An province. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the overall planning associated with the detailed planning of existing seaport projects. The issue is to link licensed investors in the port areas to serve the overall goal of effectively exploiting seaports associated with tourism and services, contributing to promoting the socio-economic development of Nghe An province as well as other provinces in the region.

Attending the meeting, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Van Giap, former lecturer of the seaport department at the University of Construction, said that the master plan needs to aim for unification in both the details of the seaports that have been licensed for construction and the interests of investors; but throughout, it must take into account the reality of the sea area, sea breeze, ocean currents and ensure environmental safety associated with the development of sea tourism.

Loading and unloading export goods at Cua Lo Port. Photo: Hoang Vinh

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong affirmed that the determination to build Cua Lo International Seaport Complex to connect with Vinh International Airport and Thanh Thuy International Border Gate when the Vientiane (Laos) Expressway through Nghe An to Hanoi has been approved by the Government in principle. These factors will contribute to the stronger socio-economic development of Nghe An in the coming time.

Regarding the specific content of the planning project for Cua Lo International Seaport Cluster, the design consultant and the Provincial People's Committee received the opinions of the delegates at the meeting, continued to add to the detailed planning to submit to the Provincial Party Standing Committee for comments and soon submit to the Government for approval.

Comments of comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong at the meeting

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Nguyen Son