On Thursday, Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Tuan met with some representatives from the Japan’s Sojitz Corporation to listen to their ideas about building the city’s Lien Chieu Port.

Cargo being unloading at the Tien Sa Port

Mr Kazumasa Fujita, Deputy Director of the Corporation, suggested that the soon-to-be-built Lien Chieu Port should take on some of the business currently being done through the existing Tien Sa Port due to its overload problems.  He also remarked that a lot of investment will be needed for building a breakwater, the dredging of the port’s entrance channel, and all the other necessary technical facilities during the construction of the port.

Deputy Director Fujita proudly said, “My company has developed 6 seaports around the world.  It has many years’ experience of developing industrial parks, and can use its extensive cooperative relationships to appeal for potential partners to invest into the Lien Chieu Port.”

In reply, Vice Chairman Tuan highly praised the Japanese company’s idea.  He also remarked that the city is aiming to turn Lien Chieu Port into a major cargo port and convert the current Tien Sa Port into a special-use port for cruise ships.  On 22 May, the Da Nang authorities and the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport jointly reached an agreement to build Lien Chieu Port under the public-private partnership (PPP) format.

He highlighted the importance of the Lien Chieu Port project in the near future as many important transport projects are being implemented in the city.  Included are the new tunnel under the Hai Van Pass, and the Da Nang-Quang Ngai Expressway.  In addition, the city’s railway station will be relocated to Lien Chieu District, which will facilitate the connection of transport on road, rail, sea and air.