Haiphong announces plan to turn Cat Hai into smart island

The management authority of the northern port city of Haiphong and Haiphong Economic Zone Authority yesterday announced a detailed Master Plan ratio 1/2000 of Cat Hai Island, part of Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone. The detailed master plan was made by Nikken Sekkei Civil Engineering from Japan.

According to the approved master plan, the total planned area will be 5,007 hectares (ha), comprising 2,650ha Cat Hai Island and the remaining 2,357ha earmarked for Haiphong International Gateway Port and a non-tariff area.

Nikken Sekkei clearly decided the function and development plan of Cat Hai Island.

This region, belonging to Dinh Vu-Cat Hai Economic Zone, will become an industrial city with big logistics systems, playing an important role to spur northern logistics development, and maximise the advantages of Lach Huyen International Gateway Port. 

Besides, the planning of Cat Hai Island is based on the Triple Bottom Line principle, ensuring the balance between Society, Economy, and Environment, heading towards sustainable development.

The land for industrial production will cover 28 per cent of Cat Hai Island total area. There will also be the space for logistics development which spreads along Tan Vu-Lach Huyen highway, and port area.

Part of Cat Hai Island will be dedicated for social building, such as hospitals, schools, parks, seawalls, green zone, and resort area. According to Nikken Sekkei, clearly determining the areas’ functions helps bring comfortable life for the residents while ensuring an eco- friendly working environment.

The infrastructure system, particularly transport system, will be built simultaneously to ensure best connection between Tan Vu-Lach Huyen highway and Lach Huyen port, alongside rebuilding the road and bridge connecting Quang Ninh-Lach Huyen which is 65m long and 4x10.5m wide, and a rail system linking Lach Huyen port to Dinh Vu station, connecting with the national railway network.

The plan will be conducted into four periods, from 2017 to 2030 and after 2030.

“Cat Hai Island has great potential to attract investors. Besides, the island is part of an economic coastal zone, making it very appealing to investors. Therefore, having in place a scientific and efficient planning scheme for Cat Hai is essential to make the most of these advantages,” said Do Trung Thoai, head of HEZA.

Thoai also said that the city has thus far attracted more than $2 billions in foreign direct investment. There will be two major investment projects in Dinh Vu-Cat Hai economic zone worth more than $1 billion in total committed capital.

Thoai expected the announcement of Cat Hai Island detailed master plan will become a highlight, helping the city, particularly Cat Hai, to further allure investors.

One of most successful investors is Rent A Port Group, the developer of Dinh Vu Industrial Zone (IZ). At the end of 2015, the group decided to expand and invest three more IZs covering a combined area of 2,000ha.

The work includes expanding current Dinh Vu IZ, and building 650ha Deep C IZ, 500ha Deep C III IZ in Cat Hai Island, and Tien Phong IZ in Quang Ninh province.

According to Marc Stordiau, Rent A Port managing director, total investment sum of above projects will be about $800 million. Deep C III IZ is in the legal setup stage for detailed planning and site clearance. 

With those mega infrastructure projects in the development pipeline, Haiphong city will offer a great deal of opportunities for investor community in the region.

By Le Son / vir