VN gives pier plan a nod

PHU QUOC Vietnam’s government has approved a plan to develop an international passenger port on Phu Quoc Island, located off mainland Kien Giang province.
The port will be able to accommodate ships carrying 5,000 to 6,000 passengers.
Deputy Prime Minister, Hoang Trung Hai, said Kien Giang, the Ministry of Transport and supporting agencies have the green light to build the international port on the island, with the provincial government picked as project owner.
The transport ministry confirmed last month that 50% of the USD59 million required for the project would come from the State budget.
inside no 5According to project consultant, Portcoast, the port would consist of a 400-metre pier with a main section 240 metres long and 19 metres wide to allow ships to dock on both sides. A two-storey terminal covering nearly 4,500 square metres and a 1,020-metre bridge is also in the plan.
The consulting firm suggested two phases, with the first estimated to cost nearly USD51.4 million including USD25.6 million for a breakwater. The province plans to develop the project under the public-private partnership (PPP) format, and call for Vingroup Joint Stock Company to participate.
Phu Quoc island stands on a major sea lane and already has 19 international passenger ships making it a port of call on cruises out of Singapore.
Large passenger ships have to anchor off shore, due to the lack of port facilities on the island.
Forecasts suggest Phu Quoc will welcome from 105,000 to 190,000 cruise passengers a year from now until 2020 and possibly 350,000 to 550,000 a decade later.
Effective last March, Phu Quoc offers foreign tourists visa-free entry for up to 30 days if they fly direct to the island, or transit through another airport without passing through immigration.

sourced:ttrweekly.com