VND360 billion international seaport unused
The construction of Phu Huu port began in 2007 by Ben Nghe MTV Co., Ltd., at the cost of VND367 billion (around $200 million). It was built to replace Ben Nghe port, to put an end to traffic congestion caused by cargo transport through HCM City’s inner area and to create jobs for 560 people.
The port is now nearly completed, with quays of 320m long, 33m wide, three big cranes, warehouses, offices and other facilities on 24 hectares of land.
The port can serve ships of up to 30,000 DWT and 3 million tons of cargo a year. The Ministry of Transport in 2010 recognized Phu Huu as an international port and approved its operation.
However, leading to the port is a quiet road, with grass growing luxuriantly along it. Vehicles rarely run through this road. Inside the port, all facilities are left fallow. Some works are damaged. The entire 24ha port is completely deserted.
Mr. Nguyen Trong Cuu, General Director of Ben Nghe Port Company, said that the company could not do anything because the port does not have a road for container trucks to enter and get out.
Cuu said his company had to pay nearly VND40 billion (VND2 million) for this port though it did not work.
The construction of a road to connect Phu Huu Port and Nguyen Duy Trinh road was kicked off in June 2012, with investment of VND300 billion ($15 million). This road is expected to open for traffic later this year.
However, even when this road opens, the situation will not be better, said Cuu. Nguyen Duy Trinh road is very narrow, with two lanes of 8-9m wide. Traffic on this road is always crowded. Container trucks are not allowed to run on this road.
The HCM City Department of Transport said it was considering the proposal to expand Nguyen Duy Trinh road at the cost of VND865 billion ($432 million). The city authorities also agreed on a research project of a 1.5km road to link Nguyen Duy Trinh road to Belt road No.2 to the Hanoi Highway.
It is a big waste when Phu Huu port has been unused for over two years because of lacking a passage. However, while waiting for roads to be built, the port will be left fallow for a long time.
