Go slow on Vietnamese port projects

Industry insiders claim that many consultants have not correctly calculated the overall feasibility of the projects, which has held back progress.

Proposed new port construction at Con Dao and Phu Quy has not even got off the ground, while the $125m spent on Can Lai Port to enable it to handle ships of 50,000 dwt proved to be insufficient as only 20,000 dwt ships can currently enter, it is claimed. A further $18.8m for dredging work is needed before larger vessels can be accommodated.

A recent comment from Vietnam’s deputy prime minister summed up the current feeling in the country when he said: “We have a lot of ports, but we don’t have one good one.”