The Vietnam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) is seeking approval from local authorities to dump nearly 440,000 cubic meters of mud and sand produced during a dredging project in waters off the south-central province of Binh Dinh.

The provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment confirmed on Tuesday that the agency plans to evaluate Vinamarine’s proposal to sink the waste.

“According to the maritime administration’s request, about 439,000 cubic meters of mud and sand will be dumped into the sea near Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh,” said Dang Trung Thanh, director of the environmental department.

The proposed dumpsite lies about 2.5 kilometers from the coastline, Thanh continued.

Vinamarine previously asked for permission from the Ministry of Transport to carry out the dredging in order to ensure waters were at a suitable depth for ships entering and exiting Quy Nhon Port.

The transport ministry later approved the plan after reviewing the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.

About 439,000 cubic meters of mud and sand was dredged from the sea area near Quy Nhon Port during the project. Vinamarine is now seeking a new location for the sand.

Competent authorities in Binh Dinh will carefully review the suggestion before making the decision, according Tran Chau, vice-chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.

He urged the maritime administration and relevant agencies to work with local authorities to assess the plan to ensure it does not affect the local environment. 

Speaking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday, Nguyen Xuan Sang, head of Vinamarine, asserted that the waste dumping proposal had been properly examined.

Dredging at Quy Nhon Port is carried out on a yearly basis to ensure that large ships can dock safely, Sang added.