Ha Tinh – Coordinated infrastructure seen as key to sustainable fisheries
Thach Kim fishing port has completed a major expansion funded by compensation from the Formosa marine disaster. The upgrade is already benefiting local fisheries, but officials say further investment and coordinated infrastructure will be crucial to maximise its impact.
Thach Kim fishing port in Vietnam’s Ha Tinh province has completed a major expansion funded by compensation from the Formosa marine environmental disaster, marking a significant step toward modernising the region’s fisheries. While the upgraded port is already bringing tangible benefits, officials and experts say more coordinated investment is needed to fully unlock its potential.
The VND 60 billion (USD 2.4 million) project, finished after eight months of construction, is widely regarded as one of the most effective uses of Formosa compensation funds to date. The development added berths for vessels of 90-400 horsepower, a protective embankment, a turning basin, wastewater treatment, and upgraded power and water systems. It has strengthened post-harvest logistics, supported fisheries recovery, helped curb IUU fishing, and aligned with broader rural development goals.
The expanded facilities have already boosted seafood trading efficiency, reduced costs, and safeguarded product quality. Fishermen from Ha Tinh and neighboring provinces say the port has lowered operational risks and improved profitability.
Yet challenges persist. Heavy sedimentation at the port’s entrance channel, averaging 100,000 cubic meters of sand annually, restricts access for larger vessels. Authorities are reviewing a VND 60 billion dredging proposal, seen as critical to ensuring the port’s long-term effectiveness.
Experts emphasize that only a synchronised approach, linking port upgrades, resource protection, and IUU compliance, will allow Ha Tinh to achieve its goal of building a sustainable fisheries sector through 2030.
VFM
