Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has just signed Decision No. 886/QD-TTg approving the Plan, policies, solutions, and resources for implementing the overall master plan for the development of the Vietnam seaport system for the period 2021 – 2030, with a vision to 2050. The decision outlines the infrastructure development projects for seaports that call for private investment…

The objective of the plan is to enhance awareness and actions in the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1579/QD-TTg dated September 22, 2021, approving the overall master plan for the development of the Vietnam seaport system for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. It aims to determine the tasks, solutions, and specific project list to be implemented in each phase from now until 2030, in line with the conditions of various ministries, sectors, and localities. The plan also clearly defines the methods, resources, and coordination mechanisms among ministries, departments, agencies, and the People’s Committees of centrally-affiliated provinces and cities in the implementation process.

ENHANCING REGULATIONS TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE

Decision No. 886 sets forth three tasks for implementing the master plan, which are as follows:

(i) Task of carrying out procedures in accordance with the regulations of the law on planning;

(ii) Task of completing legal normative documents regarding maritime affairs;

(iii) Task of developing infrastructure.

In particular, the decision specifies that the implementation includes conducting research and proposing amendments to the Maritime Law of 2015 in accordance with the prescribed timeline and procedures specified in the law for issuing legal normative documents. It also involves reviewing and revising decrees and circulars related to facilitate the development, management, and efficient use of maritime infrastructure. Additionally, there is a focus on improving legal normative documents related to fees and charges at seaports to enhance the efficiency of port investment, increase attractiveness for shipping lines, attract international container transshipment, and ensure a harmonious balance of national interests and stakeholders.

Furthermore, the decision involves researching and developing legal normative documents to regulate and guide the application of open port policies in Lach Huyen Port Area, Cai Mep – Thi Vai, and Van Phong. It also includes creating regulations, guidelines, standards, and criteria for implementing investments in green ports.

Moreover, the decision aims to complete and develop additional legal normative documents concerning attracting, managing, and using legal non-budgetary funding sources for the development of maritime infrastructure according to the approved plan.

LIST OF PRIORITY PROJECTS

Regarding the tasks related to investment in the development of maritime infrastructure, Decision No. 886 clearly prioritizes the allocation of funds in the mid-term public investment plan of the central budget for the period 2026-2030 by the Ministry of Transport, with the authority to approve the implementation of the following 29 projects. Among them, the project with the highest capital requirement is the dredging and breakwater construction of Nam Do Son channel, with an estimated budget of around 8,000 billion Vietnamese Dong, to be carried out in the period from 2026 to 2030.

In this decision, the infrastructure development projects for seaports that call for private investment are clearly mentioned. These projects will be implemented using funds from businesses according to the approved planning schedule. Depending on the growth of goods and the capacity of investors, the Ministry of Transport can adjust the investment schedule for these ports accordingly.

The total land demand according to the overall master plan for the development of the Vietnam seaport system until 2030 is projected to be 33,600 hectares, and the total water surface demand is expected to be 606,000 hectares.

RESEARCHING BREAKTHROUGH MECHANISMS TO MOBILIZE RESOURCES

To implement the above-mentioned plan, Decision No. 886 proposes solutions to attract funding for infrastructure development.

Accordingly, the focus is on allocating sufficient funding for planning activities to ensure the plan’s implementation progress. Additionally, mechanisms will be developed to attract and accept resources for planning activities from organizations and individuals willing to sponsor the planning process, thereby alleviating the budgetary burden.

The Ministry of Transport is tasked with researching innovative mechanisms and policies to mobilize resources for organizing and implementing plans related to resource mobilization in order to carry out technical and specialized maritime planning. They will also study the utilization of revenue from leasing and operating port infrastructure invested from the state budget to build public maritime infrastructure. Additionally, they will explore options for exempting or reducing fees for using coastal areas to attract investment in seaport development and develop mechanisms and policies to meet the requirements of resource mobilization for plan implementation.

In addition, balancing the budget and allocating sufficient funds for public investment in maritime infrastructure (including marine traffic flow systems, lighthouses, berthing areas, storm shelters for vessels, and supporting infrastructure for maritime safety, state management of maritime affairs, search and rescue facilities, and auxiliary projects) according to the approved port development planning, to create a ripple effect and attract investment in seaports and related infrastructure in the region. Enhancing coordination among ministries, departments, and localities to allocate resources for the feasible and efficient implementation of the planning objectives.

“The decision No. 886 explicitly states: ‘Mobilizing diverse resources from the budget and non-budget sources, domestic and foreign resources, to implement planning activities and invest in the development of seaport infrastructure according to the plan. Institutionalize measures for mobilizing and utilizing resources to ensure effective and feasible implementation.’

Furthermore, continuing to strengthen relationships with relevant organizations of Vietnam’s strategic partners such as Japan, South Korea, and other countries, as well as international organizations like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and others, to attract investment in seaport infrastructure and transportation infrastructure connecting to seaports.

Reviewing the management and use of rental fees for maritime infrastructure and proposing specific mechanisms for utilizing these fees to support essential maritime projects.

Conducting research on applying investment incentives for projects utilizing water surfaces and coastal areas (regulated in Law on Investment No. 61/2020/QH14 dated June 17, 2020) to enhance the attraction of investors for developing maritime infrastructure.

In addition, regularly organizing investment promotion conferences to provide planning information and investment policies for each region and locality, aiming to attract non-budgetary funding to meet the investment needs for seaport development as per the approved plan.”

Source: vneconomy.vn