Myanmar: Dawei Port Development Project Moves Forward

The Dawei deepsea port development project in southern Myanmar, worth $8.6 bn is slowly but surely moving forward with the Thailand’s advocating for its realization, Sea Trade Asia reports.

What is needed now is securing of major financing for the project’s smooth implementation, since there have been certain financial hick-ups along the way.

Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited (ITD) has received 60-year concession to build and operate the port and industrial estate, under the Framework Agreement signed between ITD and Myanma Port Authority. The project underlies development of the Dawei deep seaport, industrial estate, pipeline along the road-link to Thailand, highways and railroad to Thailand.

According to the project developers the location has a natural water depth able to accommodate large-size vessels, no physical underwater or sub-soil obstructions for approach channel and port basins followed by natural shelter good for anchorage. All these, in addition to various other infrastructural advantages will add to the project’s strategic importance.

The said link to Thailand would be extremely beneficial, since it is expected to reduce in half the transport time between central Thailand and Chennai port in India.

“Shipping time between Thailand and India could be cut in half,” Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, chief of National Economic and Social Development Board, Thailand’s economic development think-tank said.

[mappress]
World Maritime News Staff, July 24, 2012; Image: DaweiProject