Boats at risk due to sediment accumulation at Phan Thiet Port. Photo by Baogiaothong.
The Phan Thiet-Phu Quy maritime channel has been experiencing sediment accumulation for an extended period. The primary cause is the prolonged lack of dredging, which has narrowed the channel at the estuary.
High-speed ferries operating on the Phan Thiet-Phu Quy passenger route require fishing vessels for towing assistance when entering and exiting their berthing positions. A vast sandbank stretches across the entrance to Phan Thiet transport port. Before setting out to sea, high-speed ferries and fishing boats must wait for the tide to peak.
A high-speed ferry captain reported that many transport and fishing vessels are constantly concerned about navigating Phan Thiet Port due to the unsafe channel depth. Additionally, vessel propellers and rudders frequently collide with waste and soft mud, causing malfunctions.
According to the Binh Thuan Maritime Administration, certain sections of the Phan Thiet maritime channel currently have a depth of only 0.6 metres, while the turning basin depth reaches just 1.1 metres. Approximately 120,000 cubic metres of mud and sand need to be dredged to clear the passage.
The Maritime Administration is working with local authorities to determine a suitable disposal site for the dredged material. Once a location is agreed upon, the project to clear the Phan Thiet - Phu Quy maritime channel will be initiated.
