Central Vietnam province Quang Tri accelerates coal, logistics, thermal power projects

Quang Tri province is seeking to push ahead with a string of projects in the My Thuy area within its Southeast Economic Zone.

The provincial People’s Committee on Thursday held a meeting with My Thuy International Port Joint Venture Company (MTIP), state-own Vietnam Electricity (EVN), and state-run mining group Vinacomin to accelerate these projects, the province’s news portal reported.

According to the Quang Tri Economic Zone authority, MTIP’s proposed projects include a logistics area behind My Thuy Port (85.99 ha, total investment of VND2.23 trillion or $84.89 million); a duty free zone (approximately 275 ha); and the development of the Trieu Phong multi sector industrial park within the economic zone.

Another project by MTIP, the My Thuy coal processing, sorting, and storage complex, is pending for adjustments to the master plan and sub-zone planning of the economic zone.

Other projects reviewed at the meeting included a thermal power plant project proposed by EVN. Latest data shows 56.8 ha of land have been cleared for the project, while around 33.2 ha remain uncleared as 11 households are yet to be relocated.

A coal transshipment, processing, and trading project proposed by Vinacomin - Northern Coal Trading JSC, was also put on the table for discussion.

Quang Tri’s Vice Chairman Le Duc Tien asked EVN and Vinacomin to optimize land use and operations during project implementation, while ensuring proper resettlement for residents affected by the projects.

Standing Vice Chairman Hoang Nam asked EVN to prioritize environmental issues and deploy the most cutting-edge technology to operate the thermal power plant.

Committee leaders approved the proposed project locations and asked relevant authorities and investors to focus on the resettlement work.

Demand for cargo transport along the East-West Economic Corridor via seaports in Quang Tri and the central region is increasing, particularly in bulk shipments of coal from Laos’s Sekong province through Vietnamese border gates.

After merging with Quang Binh on July 1, the new Quang Tri province, with a natural area of 12,700 sq.km, borders Ha Tinh to the north, Hue to the south, the East Sea to the east, and Laos to the west.

My Thuy Deepwater Port, once operational, will not only create a new growth pole for Quang Tri and serve as a gateway to the East Sea, but also become a regional logistics hub. The project, developed by MTIP, was given in-principle approval by the Prime Minister on January 4, 2019.

The 685-ha port is located in the Southeast Quang Tri Economic Zone, with a planned scale of 10 berths and a total investment of VND14.23 trillion ($540.76 million). It will feature 10 berths developed in three phases - four in phase 1 (2018-2025), three in phase 2 (2026-2031), and the remaining three in the final phase (2032-2036).

On September 9, the Quang Tri Economic Zone Authority said that the project has basically completed procedures as well as site clearance and land lease work for phase 1, covering 133.67 ha.

MTIP aims to put one or two berths into operation in late 2025, and the remainder in 2026.