Viet Khe exploits the potential of water transport

Viet Khe has many advantages in developing water transport on Kinh Thay River, the section passing through the commune.

If properly invested in wharf infrastructure, it can completely become an important transit point for goods, reducing the load on roads, contributing to promoting local socio -economy.

Rich in potential

Viet Khe commune was established on the basis of merging the entire Ninh Son commune and a part of Lien Xuan commune. The commune has about 15 km of river flowing through it, of which Kinh Thay river is about 7.5 km long. The river network creates an advantage for the development of waterway transportation for the locality.

According to statistics from the Economic Department, the commune has more than 10 riverside wharves in operation, forming a "riverside service cluster" serving the loading and unloading of construction materials, agricultural products, etc. Mr. Nguyen Van Vinh, owner of the construction material wharf, said: "Because it is close to Kinh Thay River, the wharf located here is very convenient. The cost of transporting materials to Bac Ninh by barge is only about 1/3 compared to the cost by road."

Regarding the structure of the cargo flow, Viet Khe has a “two-way” advantage. The direction to the northern localities is construction materials, agricultural products transferred to the water ports of Bac Ninh area. The return direction can be containers of goods from the industrial zones and clusters of Bac Ninh to Hai Phong seaport. If organized properly, barges can optimize the filling coefficient in both directions, reducing empty returns.

Kinh Thay River has a favorable channel width, few sharp curves; seasonal hydrological stability is relatively clear, allowing businesses to proactively plan operations.

In the context of Hai Phong striving to become the leading logistics center of the country, exploiting the waterway transport route through Viet Khe commune is of even more strategic significance. Goods from the locality and neighboring areas can completely follow Kinh Thay River to Cam River or from Da Vach River to Bach Dang River mouth and then go straight to the international seaport system. This is a rare advantage that not every locality has.

Experts in the waterway transport sector assess that if investment is made in port infrastructure and routes, Viet Khe can become an important freight transit point, reducing the load on roads, which are under great pressure. Exploiting waterway transport in Viet Khe not only saves logistics costs, but also contributes to environmental protection, reduces road traffic congestion, and is in line with the green development orientation for Hai Phong's waterways.

Focus on local economic development

The rivers passing through Viet Khe commune have convenient waterway widths for water transport.

According to the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration, currently, transport vehicles (mainly barges) with a capacity of 128 Teus can operate smoothly from Tan Cang Que Vo Inland Container Depot (ICD) (Bac Ninh) to Hai Phong seaport via the Duong - Thai Binh - Kinh Thay - Cam river route. Viet Khe is located on this river corridor, the section across Kinh Thay river.

Thanks to that, Viet Khe can become an important link. Goods from industrial zones in West Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, even from the Northern midland and mountainous areas can be gathered here, then transported by waterway to the seaport.

Mr. Le Manh Cuong, Vice President of Hai Phong Logistics Association analyzed: “The Bac Ninh - Hai Phong waterway transport route is very important for the city's traffic. In particular, Viet Khe commune is located on this waterway. The locality not only has a location advantage, but also has a tradition of waterway trade. Investing in a modern inland waterway port will turn this place into a commune-level logistics service center, creating a big boost for local economic development. When the waterway logistics system develops, not only industrial goods and construction materials will benefit, but also agricultural products of Viet Khe farmers will easily access the market, with higher added value”.

Exploiting the potential of water transport in Viet Khe is also in line with the orientation of Hai Phong city. The city has repeatedly affirmed its determination to synchronously develop 5 types of transport, in which waterways are considered the "extended arm" of the seaport system, realizing the goal of building Hai Phong into an international seaport service center.

To turn potential into reality, Viet Khe needs strong participation from many sides. The local wharf system is still fragmented, mainly serving small ships, not meeting the requirements of large cargo ships. The locality has not yet invested in inland waterway ports of a scale commensurate with its potential.

Mr. Vu Thanh Quang, Head of the Economic Department of Viet Khe commune, affirmed: "We identify water transport as a key economic development focus in the coming period. Viet Khe hopes that the city will support port planning, call for investment from enterprises, and at the same time have preferential mechanisms to encourage logistics enterprises to choose Viet Khe as a transit point."

Viet Khe is facing a great opportunity to exploit the “gold mine” of water transport. The path to local economic development will be more open if the commune turns the advantage of rivers into a logistics driving force.

HAI MINH

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/viet-khe-khai-thac-tiem-nang-van-tai-thuy-521675.html