In the first 2 months of 2020, ports in Hai Phong city welcomed about 3,000 ships and domestic ships. Compared to the same period last year [...]
In the first 2 months of 2020, ports in Hai Phong city welcomed about 3,000 ships and domestic ships. Compared to the same period last year, the number of ships arriving at the port decreased significantly due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Although ships arriving at the port have decreased, the work of ensuring maritime safety on the channel is always carried out by agencies and units without laxity. Therefore, in the first 2 months of the year, no maritime accidents occurred on fairways in Hai Phong area.
Dredging ship operating on Lach Huyen channel
Supports ships to navigate safely
According to the Northern Maritime Safety Corporation (VMS-N), in 2019, the unit focused heavily on maritime notification work on two key channels: Hai Phong navigation channel and Pha Rung navigation channel. With a large difference in channel depth between the Lach Huyen channel and the Ha Nam, Bach Dang, and Cam rivers, channel surveys are continuously carried out using depth gauges. After each survey, the Corporation has a public maritime notice on the website to let ships know and navigate safely. From the beginning of 2020 until now, only considering maritime notices in Hai Phong area, VMS-N has promptly implemented about 20 times in all fairway sections. In particular, notification of channel depth and water area in front of the port is made immediatelyAfter measuring with a 200 kHz echo sounder, calculate the water level "0" compared to the chart.
VMSN Deputy General Director Duong Ngoc Duc said that, along with providing timely information about channel sections and waters in front of the port, the management and operation of the maritime signaling system is always carried out by VMS-N with the highest spirit. With hundreds of navigation signals, operating on routes with many ships passing through in harsh weather conditions, sometimes the signaling system is also damaged due to natural disasters or collisions, but due to survey work and timely receipt of information, affiliated units carry out repairs and maintenance very quickly, ensuring operation in the best conditions, helping vehicles navigate safely.
In 2019 and early 2020, VMS-N organized the regular repair and maintenance of hundreds of channel signaling devices, lighthouse signaling systems, communication machines, lightning protection systems... In addition, dozens of channel signaling buoys were placed in Hai Phong to serve the construction of coastal projects, river crossing projects and at the location of vessels having incidents on the channel. At a number of independent light stations and navigation posts, VMSN carries out maintenance in accordance with regulations, ensuring good operation, contributing to minimizing maritime collisions on fairways. According to Mr. Duong Ngoc Duc, currently the fairways in Hai Phong city all ensure a maritime signal system, supporting ships to navigate safely. Particularly for pick-up and drop-off areasAll targets are provided with timely and accurate information, creating confidence for seafarers.
Continue dredging, ensuring channel depth
Implementing the direction of the Ministry of Transport and the Vietnam Maritime Administration, in 2020, VMS-N continues to dredge channels in Hai Phong city, ensuring channel depth. General Director of Tan Cang Hai Phong International Container Port Co., Ltd. Yang Yu Nung said that recently, with the support of VMS-N, the shipping channel into Lach Huyen port was dredged to ensure the depth, thanks to which the company has the conditions to welcome ships of more than 100,000 tons into the port to handle cargo. Up to now, an international route from Lach Huyen to the West Coast of the United States has been formed. On average, each week the port welcomes 2 ships of more than 100,000 tons to handle cargo.
In 2019, VMS-N completed the maintenance and dredging of 8 channels within its management, including 2 channels in Hai Phong city, approved by the Vietnam Maritime Administration. In 2020, fairways will continue to be dredged to ensure standards. According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Chinh, Head of the Maritime Safety Department (VMS-N), the characteristic of the shipping channel in Hai Phong is that it receives a very large amount of sediment every year, up to about 2 million m3 of mud, so dredging takes place all year round. In 2020, VMS-N continues to dredge to ensure the depth according to design standards of each channel section, helping ships navigate safely. Accordingly, the depth is gradually reduced from the sea into the Cam River through the sections of Lach Huyen, Ha Nam, Bach Dang, Vat Cach...turn from minus 14 m; minus 7.2 m; minus 7 m and minus 5.5 m. It is expected that at the end of the first quarter of 2020, dredging work will begin in Hai Phong city and strive to be completed before the rainy and stormy season.
According to Director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration Nguyen Xuan Sang, specifically for the Lach Huyen channel - the deep water channel approved by the Vietnam Maritime Administration to dredge with a channel depth of negative 13.5 m, still ensuring safe entry and exit conditions for the largest ships ever to enter Lach Huyen port. The Vietnam Maritime Administration directed VMS-N to focus heavily on dredging and maintaining the depth of this important channel section. In addition, the Department requires units to coordinate closely and use expertise and infrastructure to coordinate and guide ships into and out of ports safely and conveniently.
Mai Lam
Procedures
