The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the central province of Quang Ngai will co-organize a second forum for marine trademarks from March 18-19.

The first section of the Thu Thiem Tunnel was towed on the Saigon River to its immersion position at Bach Dang Wharf in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 Sunday for Monday's installation.

     Koon Holdings has won a US$160.29 million port project in Vietnam  its first major overseas contract, reported Business Times.

Vietnam will develop sea tourism into a key driver for the maritime sector in central coastal region, according to a master economic development plan for the region to 2020. The central is envisaged needing around VND411 trillion in 2006-2010, VND608 trillion in 2011-2015, and VND1,314 trillion in 2016-2020. Its GDP will reach around 12.5% in 2006-2010, and 12.9-13% in 2011-2020.

     Ho Chi Minh City is scheduled to welcome 3,250 European tourists from two five-star international cruise ships  the Costa Classica and the Costa Allegra--on March 22 and 23.

SP-PSA International Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province has successfully handled on a trial basis the largest container ship ever to dock at a Vietnamese port during the Tet holiday.

Ho Chi Minh Citys largest cable-stayed bridge opened to all vehicles Thursday, after large vehicles had been prohibited since the bridges official opening six months ago.

     Cambodia inaugurated Thursday a US$25.8 million highway that was built using a soft loan provided by Vietnam.

     DP World-run Djibouti Port hopes to become a leading regional shipping hub, unaffected by Dubai World's debt problems, the port's chairman said.

     By joint-venture projects of building seaport systems at Hiep Phuoc (Nha Be - Ho Chi Minh city) and Thi Vai - Cai Mep (Ba Ria - Vung tau), Saigon port is trying to do their best for going to the sea after nearly one and half centuries of operation within the city. However, for the going is smooth, Saigon port has to utilize current potentiality absolutely; simultaneously innovate and improve organizational and management works.

     During 7 Lunar New Year days from 12-18/02, Saigon port has handled 58.212 tons of different kinds of cargoes, including 30.774 tons of inbound cargoes, 1.627 tons of outbound containers, 16.185 tons of domestic imported containers and 9.626 tons of domestic exported containers.

     US Navy Force's logistics ship Richard. E. Byrd recently moored for maintenance in the deep seaport of Hòn Khói, south of Vân Phong Bay, Khánh Hòa Province.