The construction of a series of seaports in the south-central region is expected to drive its maritime economic development, according to local government leaders.

Quy Nhon Port in Binh Dinh, one of the country’s major general ports

 Luu Xuan Vinh, Chairman of the Ninh Thuan provincial People's Committee, said the VND1.463 trillion (US$63.1 million), 108ha Ca Na Sea Port Complex, whose construction began last month in Thuan Nam district, would play an important role for the locality and region, fostering economic development and attracting investment.

 In phase 1, it was designed to handle 3.3 million tonnes of cargo a year. It would have two wharves capable of berthing ships of up to 70,000-100,000 DWT and another with 20,000DWT capacity.

 One of the two former wharves would be completed by the end of 2022 and the other in October 2025.

 The smaller wharf was scheduled to be completed in August 2026.

 "The port will help merchandise exports, contribute to attracting investment and serve the needs of production and processing projects in industrial parks and industrial clusters in Ninh Thuan province and the south-central and Central Highlands regions,” Vinh said.

“It will play an important role in supporting the transport of equipment for renewable energy projects such as wind and solar power projects in the province.”

Neighbouring Binh Thuan province plans to build the Son My international port in the commune of the same name in Ham Tan district.

 It will have a specialised wharf for liquefied natural gas (LNG) that can handle ships of up to 100,000DWT, an international passenger wharf that can berth ships of up to 225,000 GRT and a general berth capable of handling ships of up to 50,000 DWT.

 Binh Thuan province also plans to build a specialised LNG port with a capacity of up to 170,000 DWT in Tan Thanh commune, Ham Thuan Nam district, to serve the gas-fired power plant in Mui Ke Ga.

 Among the south-central provinces, Khanh Hoa has the largest number of ports: 16.

 Hoang Dinh Phi, head of the management board of the province’s Van Phong Economic Zone, said Nam Van Phong Port in Ninh Hoa town opened recently to serve the south-central and Central Highlands regions.

 It can dock ships of up to 70,000DWT now and 100,000DWT in the near future.

 Meanwhile, Bac Van Phong Port is under construction in Dam Mon, Van Ninh district. One wharf that can handle ships of to 50,000 DWT has been completed.

 Mai Dinh Vu, Chairman of Van Phong Port Company Limited, said though the port had yet to be completed, it had already received many foreign ships. With a rising number of cargo vessels of 50,000-70,000DWT registering to enter the port his company was seeking to increase the capacity of the remaining two wharves to improve the port’s efficiency.

 According to the Ministry of Transport, the south-central region will have five key ports.

 Quy Nhon Port in Binh Dinh province is a major national port with 18-20 million tonnes of goods passing through it annually. Vung Ro Port in Phu Yen handles 5.8 - 6.3 million tonnes a year. Ninh Thuan Port has a cargo throughput of 15.8 -17.5 million tonnes.

 Khanh Hoa Port handles 15.9 - 18.6 million tonnes of goods a year.