Kien Giang: Breakthrough infrastructure investments drive marine economy development

Expanding infrastructure for marine farming

Kien Giang, a coastal province in Vietnam’s western region, is endowed with over 63,000 square kilometers of sea, a coastline stretching more than 200 kilometers, and hundreds of islands. These advantages provide an excellent foundation for developing its marine economy. The province is prioritizing infrastructure development, particularly fishing ports and logistics hubs on key islands, to create dedicated offshore marine farming areas.

Nguyen Van Tu, Director of the Agriculture and Rural Development Project Management Board in Kien Giang, highlighted ongoing investments in upgrading fishing ports, storm shelters, and anchorage facilities. These efforts aim to meet the docking and logistical needs of fishing vessels while driving industrialization and modernization. The improved infrastructure supports the development of seafood industrial zones and coastal economic areas, promoting efficient and sustainable fisheries growth.

In Kien Hai district, the province is advancing two major marine farming infrastructure projects with a total investment of 835 billion VND. Funded by central government resources managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as local budgets, these projects include:

• A 430-billion-VND coastal erosion prevention and dredged soil disposal project at Nam Du storm shelter (Nam Du commune, Kien Hai district).
• A 405-billion-VND storm shelter investment at Nam Du.

The erosion prevention project, slated for completion between 2023 and 2026, will include a 1,465-meter-long embankment, a 120-meter pier, and 22 hectares of land reclaimed from dredged soil for logistical and marine farming infrastructure. These developments aim to enhance storm shelter capacity for vessels of up to 2,000 tons, safeguarding lives and assets in Kien Giang and nearby provinces during storm seasons.

Boosting investment in marine farming

According to Tran Ngoc Tinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, Kien Giang is implementing a sustainable marine farming strategy through 2030. The department has approved four enterprise-led projects with a total registered capital of 695 billion VND, covering 2,197 hectares of water surface. Key investors include Mavin Group, Hiền Công, and Australis Vietnam, focusing on marine aquaculture for export.

Australis Vietnam has conducted trials in Nam Du’s waters and found them highly suitable for barramundi farming. Using HDPE cages, the company successfully raised 50,000 fish, yielding positive results. Plans are underway to scale up operations with larger cages capable of producing 200-300 tons of fish per unit.

However, challenges remain. Lengthy approval processes for sea leases and limited logistics infrastructure, including ports and processing facilities, have hindered progress. Resolving these issues could lower production costs and enhance the competitiveness of farmed marine fish in the market.

VFM