$620 million super seaport project may be empty promise

Super seaport project worth $600 million may be empty promise (the image on the groundbreaking ceremony)

Quang Tri People’s Committee has assigned Quang Tri Economic Zones Management Authority and relevant authorities to build and propose solutions to deal with the investor My Thuy International Port JSC due to the delay in the construction of the My Thuy seaport project.

The project has a total capital value of VND14.2 trillion ($617.4 million), including VND2.14 trillion ($93 million) from the company’s equity and VND12.09 trillion ($569.13 million) loaned by strategic partners.

The investor was planning to develop the first phase in 2018-2025, however, the construction was only kicked off in February 2020 – followed by no real progress.

In late December 2020, Quang Tri People’s Committee sent an ultimatum to the company to either accelerate the construction or be replaced. Besides, at the time, the investor had yet to complete several important some procedures, including construction license and it had no plans to improve the construction schedule.

The province had plans to replace the investor in case it could not prove that it has the requisite experience and financial capacity. However, no change was made.

It was not until three months ago that at a working session with provincial leaders the investor committed to start the construction in either June or July 2021. The provincial leaders asked the company to complete procedures, including the feasibility report as well as the compensation and resettlement plans. Besides, the investor will also have to compile an environmental assessment impact report.

The harbour where My Thuy seaport would be located covers 685 hectares and can receive 100,000-tonne ships. It has 10 ports that will be built in three stages, including four ports in 2018-2025; three ports in 2026-2031; and three ports in 2032-2036.

The seaport complex aims to provide transport services for industrial zones (IZs) in the Southeast Economic Zone and other IZs in the province, as well as goods in transit from Laos and Northeastern Thailand in the East-West Economic Corridor.