(VOVWORLD) - Ba Ria-Vung Tau is one of the important points of transportation in the southeastern region. With considerable maritime potential, the province plays a central role in national development and defense. To implement the "Vietnam Maritime Strategy until 2020", the province has promoted the marine economy while ensuring national sea and island sovereignty.
 Cai Mep-Thi Vai, a deep water seaport in southern Vietnam (Photo: T.H/ baohaiquan.vn) |
With 156 km of coastline, Ba Ria-Vung Tau has many advantages to develop the maritime economy. In addition to oil and gas exploitation, the province has tapped its maritime economic potential to become a deep water port center and a major fishing ground of Vietnam.
Nguyen Hong Linh, Secretary of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau provincial Party Committee, said: “Ba Ria-Vung Tau is developing an economy based on new pillars, instead of only the oil and gas sector. Although it remains a driver of local growth, it will no longer be the sole economic pillar. The province now has four other mainstays of development, of which the maritime economy plays a crucial role dominating the entire local economy.”
Nguyen Hong Linh, Secretary of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau provincial Party Committee (Photo: news.zing.vn)
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Ba Ria-Vung Tau has invested heavily in the Thi Vai-Cai Mep port system to make it an international transit port. It is calling for investment in the Cai Mep Ha logistics center which will cover an area of 800 ha.
At a recent working trip in the province, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the province to develop its seaport system to be on par with those in the region.
Prime Minister Phuc said: “Ba Ria-Vung Tau has become a major seaport system for international transit. Cai Mep International Terminal is one of 19 ports that can accommodate 200,000-ton vessels. Located in an important position, Ba Ria-Vung Tau’s ports don’t have to compete with local ports but must be competitive with those of Singapore and other countries.”
Over the years, fisheries, aquaculture, seafood processing, and logistics services have contributed remarkably to the local economy. It has also developed a fleet of 65 on-the-sea logistics vessels, some of which are large-capacity, modern armor-clad vessels.
To increase the value of aquatic resources, the province has promulgated incentives to encourage organizations and individuals to invest in the exploitation of resources, aquaculture, and seafood processing. It has strengthened natural resource management, increased off-shore fishing, prevented illegal fishing, and protected national sea and island sovereignty.
A local fisherman said these policies make fishermen feel secure to earn their living and safeguard the national sovereignty.
He said: “Over the past 30 years of being engaged in fishing, I consider the boat as my house and the sea my fatherland. I was born and grown up in the coastal area, it’s my responsibility for safeguarding the sea and the homeland.”
Ba Ria-Vung Tau is promoting communications on maritime security, and fostering capacity of the forces that work at sea in order to effectively exploit marine resources and protect national maritime sovereignty.