Vinalines’ ship-repair project torpedoed

April 09, 2012 | 09:35

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Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has rejected Vietnam National Shipping Lines’ Mekong Delta ship-repair factory project due to environmental concerns, according to a source at Hau Giang Industrial Parks Management Authority .

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The project, initially developed by Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin), is part of an $89 million shipbuilding industrial complex in in Song Hau Industrial Park 1, Hau Giang province.

Vinashin planned to develop this $58 million shipyard in a 60 hectare site to build vessels up to 30,000 dead weight tonnages and its capacity would be further expanded to 70,000dwt vessels. However, after taking over this project from Vinashin, which almost collapsed in 2010, Vinalines proposed to change the planned shipyard into a ship-repair project.

The source said Vinalines had proposed to develop a seaport and logistic service area instead of the ship-repair factory, with an investment report to be submitted to Hau Giang People’s Committee this month.

As VIR reported three weeks ago, a $314 million ship-repair project of Vinalines also faces head winds in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. The project, licenced in July 19, 2011 and to be capable to repair ships of up to 100,000 dwt, has not yet received a cleared site from the local authorities.

By Phuong Thu

vir.com.vn

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