The Ship Repair Plant project at the South of Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) is a sensitive project to the environment by specific industry and location of the project on the Thi Vai River. Concerns of polluted environment treatment for implementing the above project was raised many questions by scientists to investors at the conference held in the morning May 11. Most comments contributed for the project are to avoid having a "copy" as Hyundai Vinashin in BR-VT ...

THE INVESTOR PRESENTS A FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGY…

According to the presentation of Vinalines at the conference in the morning May 11, in Vungtau City, the Southern Ship Repair Plant will apply friendly environment technology. In particular, the hull cleaning is the stage generated much waste which use pressure water-spray cleaning technology – a friendly environment technology - being applied by many countries over the world, although cost of this technology from 8 to 10 times higher than normal technology (sand or nix blast). On the other hand, the use of the above technology also has many advantages compared with hull cleaning by sand or nix blasting as water is present everywhere, easy to exploit, no dust, thus it does not affect air environment ...

SCIENTISTS AND MANAGERS FEEL UNSECURE YET

According to the report of the investor, location of the project is located in Phu Ha Village, My Xuan Commune, Tan Thanh district with a total area of over 100ha. This area is now mangrove forest. To carry out construction of the Southern Ship Repair Plant project, the investor expected the total volume of leveling of about 5 million m3. The position for mudding and dredging during implementation off the coast of Vungtau (10km far away from Vungtau cape) and mangrove forest in the northwest of Rang river (the border between Long Son commune, Vungtau city and Tan Thanh district). The plant performs all stages of repair for ships but does not execute rinsing and cleaning for ships ...

Firstly, scientists highly appreciated the conference organization of the People’s Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province since this is very important with an aim to avoid a more "copy" of Hyundai Vinashin. Alternatively, they also supported and concurred with when investors use pressure water-spray cleaning technology – a friendly environment technology – an advanced and friendly environment method.

However, with the environmental protection measure which investor advanced, the scientists and managers in the field of environment are also concerned. With deforesting 100ha of mangrove forests, Associate Prof. Dr. Phung Chi Sy, Deputy Director of Institute of Tropical Technology and Environmental Protection said, "In principle, if deforesting so many hectares of mangrove forests, so many hectares we must grow. Therefore, investor must calculate how to ensure ecological balance and sustainable development” ... Many opinions concerned the investor’s report of environmental impact was very good but in fast it was not as reported. Mr. Ngo Dinh Kim, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment - Ministry of Transport noted with the investor: "The investor must have the heart right from the start of the project. It must be for the development of community and of their industry”

After contribution of scientists, managers at the locality and the central, Mr Tran Hong Ha - Deputy Secretary of the provincial People’s Committee of the Party asserted that BR-VT called for investment projects based on sustainable development. Projects must harmonize with the economic - environmental problems of a locality in combination of potentiality, advantages of BR-VT. With the Southern Ship Repair Plant, it is necessary for investor to calculate carefully commitments to implement environmental protection, quickly supplement information, and complete the project to ensure the stable development.

Dinh Thin – Quang Dat