Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has signed Prime Ministerial Decision No.582/QD-TTg, dated July 3, 2024,  approving the master plan for fishing port system and storm shelter areas for fishing boats by 2030, according to a report from the Government News.

Under the plan, the fishing port system targets to handle 2.98 million tons of seafood per year (including 100 per cent of exploited seafood output and a part of marine aquaculture output).

It aims to ensure fisheries management, meeting the requirements for tracing the origin of exploited aquatic products and preventing illegal fishing activities.

The system of shelters for fishing vessels aims for over 83,600 fishing vessels to safely anchor and be protected from storms.

All fishing ports and shelter areas must be allocated land and water use according to Articles 78 and 84 of the 2017 Fisheries Law.

Key domestic and international trade hubs will be formed to facilitate the development of fishery industrial zones, coastal economic zones and major fishing centers linked to key fishing grounds, enhancing the fishery sector's efficiency and sustainability.

Infrastructure and capacity of fishing ports will be improved to meet the needs of fisheries logistics, ensure food safety and hygiene and integrate economic development, tourism, culture, society, environmental protection, new rural construction and national defense and security in appropriate places.

All type I fishery ports in major fishing centers will be built with complete, modern infrastructure with 90 per cent mechanized cargo handling systems.

All type II fishery ports will have synchronized infrastructure with 70 per cent mechanized cargo handling systems.

From the period 2021 - 2025, the Government will focus on completing the infrastructure of type I fishing ports at five major fishing centers and storm shelters for regions where most vessels are frequently anchored, fishing port projects and storm shelters for fishing vessels on islands and projects associated with national defense and security.

By 2050, a modern, comprehensive fishery port system comparable to major ports globally will be developed in line with green port criteria, with type I fishery ports in major fishing centers acting as international gateways and key links in the global fishery value chain, with high competitiveness.

Five major fishing centers

The planning paves the way for the development of five major fishing centers in Hai Phong; Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Kien Giang

By 2030, the country targets to have 173 fishery ports, including 39 type I, 80 type II, and 54 type III ports, with a total capacity of 2.983 million tons of fishery products annually and 160 storm shelter areas for fishing boats, including 30 regional and 130 provincial-level shelters, with harbor space for about 90,600 fishing boats.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that out of the 125 fishing ports across Vietnam, 68 are currently operational, including three first-class, 54 second-class and 11 third-class ones.

The remainders are under construction or not eligible to open. There are also 74 active typhoon shelters, with a total capacity of 50,885 vessels, approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.