Ho Chi Minh City Designates 49ha Sea Area Off Vung Tau for Dredged Spoil Disposal

Ho Chi Minh City's People's Committee has decided to allocate a 49-hectare sea area off Vung Tau to the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration (under the Ministry of Construction) for the disposal of spoil generated from the maintenance dredging of the Vung Tau-Thi Vai channel and the Dinh River. The designated sea area is located offshore Vung Tau, with depths ranging from 17.7 to 20.1 meters. The authorization for the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration to use this area for spoil disposal is valid from September 22, 2026, to December 31, 2027. The administration will not be required to pay for the use of this sea area. The dredging project aims to achieve a depth of -14 meters, facilitating the smooth entry and exit of large container vessels at the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port, independent of tidal conditions. The total volume of dredged spoil from both channels is estimated to exceed 410,900 cubic meters. Ho Chi Minh City has mandated that the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration must strictly adhere to the specified purpose, boundaries, area, depth, elevation, and duration. The administration is also prohibited from encroaching on the sea or violating approved plans. Furthermore, the spoil disposal process must comply fully with all relevant laws, technical standards, and environmental management and monitoring programs, as well as environmental incident response plans. Any incident causing environmental pollution or coastal erosion necessitates an immediate halt to disposal activities. The entity granted the right to use the sea area is obligated to comply with all laws concerning marine resources, environmental protection, and aquatic resources. They must not obstruct activities related to the management and protection of aquatic resources. All operations within the designated area must avoid negatively impacting marine ecosystems and aquatic resources, and measures must be implemented to ensure the livelihoods and safety of local communities, as well as vessels and fishermen operating in the vicinity.