Da Nang, Vietnam Approves Construction of 50,000-DWT Vessel Channel Project at Cua Lo Port

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 7, the People's Committee of Da Nang City, Vietnam approved the investment and construction of the Cua Lo navigation channel project in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, with a total investment of approximately VND 7.586 trillion (about USD 297 million), adopting a Build-Transfer (BT) contract under the public-private partnership model, with implementation planned from Q4 2026 to Q4 2028. Upon completion, the channel will be capable of accommodating 50,000-DWT vessels, serving the two port areas of Tam Hiep Port and Tam Hoa Port.

The core of the project is the construction of a navigation channel from the sea through Cua Lo into Tam Hiep Port and Tam Hoa Port, with a total length of approximately 6.58 km, a width of 140 m, and a design bottom elevation of 13.2 m below chart datum, capable of meeting the port entry and exit requirements of vessels up to 50,000 DWT. The design service life of the project is 50 years.

The channel dredging works are expected to excavate approximately 17.97 million cubic meters, along with the construction of a navigation mark system, pilot boarding and disembarkation areas, and channel protection facilities. The breakwater and sand barrier are arranged on the east and west sides, with the west side being 1,246 m long and the east side 1,284 m long; revetments will also be constructed on both banks of Cua Lo, with the west side being 852 m long and the east side 1,185 m long. The above works will collectively constitute the channel entrance protection and vessel entry and exit supporting facilities.

The project adopts the BT model, with a total investment of approximately VND 758.5764 billion (approximately VND 758.58 billion, i.e., VND 7.586 trillion), of which own funds are approximately VND 113.7 billion, accounting for 15%; loans and other lawful financing are approximately VND 644.8 billion, accounting for 85%. The funding proportions here correspond to the project financing structure and do not represent that the government has completed financing disbursement.

The project repayment arrangement adopts land resource exchange, with two parcels of land totaling approximately 1,334.6 hectares intended for payment: 744.04 hectares for the Tam Hoa Port Industrial and Port Logistics Zone, and 590.56 hectares for the Tam Hoa–Tam Tien Urban Residential, Commercial Services and Tourism Development Zone.

Da Nang City plans to select the project investor and constructor through domestic public bidding in Q4 2026. Vietnam Dai Quang Minh Real Estate Investment Joint Stock Company is currently undertaking the preparation of the feasibility study report. The project is planned to be completed in Q4 2028.

According to planning forecasts, the channel's cargo throughput will reach 7.5 million to 9 million tons per year by 2030, 14 million tons by 2040, and 22 million tons by 2050. The channel will serve the Central and Central Highlands regions of Vietnam and provide a maritime export corridor for southern Laos, northeastern Cambodia, and parts of Thailand.