THÁI NGUYÊN — Construction began on the Yên Bình cargo handling port in the northern province of Thái Nguyên on Thursday, with an investment of more than VNĐ435 billion (US$17 million), as the province seeks to strengthen logistics infrastructure and regional trade links.

The groundbreaking ceremony in the locality was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Gia Túc and provincial officials.

The project covers nearly 25ha in Trung Thành Commune and will comprise seven berths, with an annual cargo handling capacity of 3.8 to 4.5 million tonnes. The port is designed to serve as a transshipment hub for goods from factories and production facilities to international seaports in the north.

Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Trịnh Xuân Trường said the project would help complete the province’s logistics network by linking road and waterway transport, facilitating production, trade and import-export activities.

Trường called on the investor to mobilise resources and accelerate construction, with the port system targeted to begin operations in 2027. He also urged local authorities to support businesses and promptly address obstacles to project implementation.

The province has identified transport, industrial and digital infrastructure as key drivers of economic growth, expanded development space and improved competitiveness, he said.

The project is expected to strengthen logistics capacity and trade connectivity in Thái Nguyên and the northern midlands and mountains region, supporting the province’s longer-term development ambitions, including its goal of becoming a centrally governed city before 2030. —VNS