The construction investment project to upgrade the Cai Mep – Thi Vai channel is the largest project of the maritime industry in 2023, aiming to welcome the world’s largest ships.

The Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province last weekend held a ceremony to implement the construction investment project to upgrade the Cai Mep – Thi Vai channel (from buoy number “0” to the wharf area). Cai Mep Container Port under package XL01.

According to Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Xuan Sang, maritime transport currently has an exploitation capacity of nearly 800 million tons/year, of which Cai Mep – Thi Vai port is the largest international transshipment port.

“The need to increase draft to accommodate larger ships is very urgent. This is the largest project of the maritime industry in 2023, investing in the largest seaport area and a large national channel route to receive the largest ships, ensuring socio-economic development for the southern region…”, Deputy Minister Nguyen Xuan Sang emphasized.

Reported at the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Nghiem Phu Nguyen, Director of the Marine Project Management Board (representative of the investor) said that the investment project to upgrade the CM-TV channel from buoy 0 Cai Mep container port is one of the largest and most important projects invested with state budget capital, with a total investment of more than VND 1,414 billion. The project is expected to be completed in 2025.

Once completed, the channel will allow ships of 160,000-200,000 DWT to operate safely, meeting the demand for cargo traffic in the region. At the same time, creating a driving force to promote the investment process of projects in the region, develop the local economy – society, and strengthen the water transport capacity of the entire channel in and out of the CM-TV port area.

In addition, the project also renovates and expands the channel from upstream of CMIT port to upstream of Tan Cang Cai Mep port (TCIT and TCCT) with an upgraded length of 3.2km, depth of -14.0m. Renovating and expanding the channel of the channel from Cai Mep Tan Cang TCIT and TCCT to Phuoc An port for ships up to 60,000 DWT at full load for one-way operation, 5.7km in length.

Besides that, the adjustment and setting of water areas; renovating and upgrading navigational signals; renovating and upgrading the marine equipment system; building a chart of the channeling area.

“This is the largest project of the maritime industry in 2023, the largest project in the medium-term investment period of 2021-2025, and also invests in the seaport area, the largest channel in the country to welcome new customers from the largest ship in the world; ensuring service for economic development in the most important region”, emphasized Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Xuan Sang.

Source: VnMedia