Vietnam province looks to build up marine infrastructure for the future

Vietnam's central province of Quang Tri announces plans to develop its marine economy focused on catching and processing seafood, as well as developing their ship-building facilities and seaports.

Local authorities have invested hundreds of millions of dong in upgrading ship building and repair facilities in the Gio Linh district, and fishing net-weaving, fish sauce, and seafood drying facilities in the Hai An commune.

They have major development plans for the south-eastern region, which involves the construction of a US$88 million shipyard by the Vietnam Ship Building Industry Corporation (Vinashin) in the Trieu An commune.

According to officials from the Vietnam Oil and Gas Institute, high-quality natural gas 100 kilometres off the coast and predict reserves of 60-100 billion cubic metres was discovered recently. The gas will provide fuel to run two power plants of 750MW each and several factories and provide energy for the transport and communications sectors.

Provincial authorities recently approved construction of the My Thuy Port in Hai Lang District at a cost of US$460 million for the first phase. When operational, the port will spearhead the development of the provinces marine economy, industry and sustain economic growth.

The province's catch has doubled in the last nine years to 22,250 tonnes this year with exports reaching US$31 million, chiefly of high-quality tiger prawn and fish.

Le Binh, deputy director of the provinces Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said further investment is needed to build safe havens for fishing vessels during storms and fisheries infrastructure at Tung estuary.