VietNamNet Bridge – The Soai Rap dredging project with a capital of nearly VND2.8 trillion ($140 million) will be launched in late November to accommodate large ships to Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to develop the city’s marine economy.



According to the project management board, the Soai Rap passage will be dredged to a depth of 9.5 m to ensure that vessels with tonnage of 30,000 tons, full load, and ships with tonnage of 50,000 tons, offload, are able to enter the Hiep Phuoc Port in Nha Be District.

The dredging length is 54 km, expected to be implemented in 14 months with a total investment of nearly VND2.8 trillion, using ODA from the Belgian government (over Eur70 million) and reciprocal capital of Ho Chi Minh City.

Earlier, the Tan Thuan Industrial Development Co., Ltd. withdrew from this project because it could not mobilize enough capital.

The project has been transferred to the HCM City Department of Transportation. The department organized bids several times but no investor applied. The city finally decided to carry out the project by ODA capital.

At present, ships from the East Sea to Ho Chi Minh City have to cross 85 km of passages. Dredging the Soai Rap passage for large vessels to go to Hiep Phuoc port will help the relocation of ports on the Saigon River from the inner city.

M. Lan