Construction of the 1.2-trillion-VND (68.5 million USD) Cai Cui seaport, the second phase, and its logistic facilities kicked off on July 11 in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

Covering 37 ha, the project includes three wharves, which are capable of receiving 20,000-tonne ships. Its logistics infrastructures are designed to accommodate a 3.5-ha container warehouse and a 3.6 ha freight depot.

Once completed in 2012, Cai Cui will become the largest-ever seaport in the Mekong Delta region.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said at the ground breaking ceremony that the expansion of the Cai Cui seaport would help Can Tho city and Mekong Delta provinces to promote waterborne trade with both domestic and foreign markets.

The Mekong Delta provinces would cut down hundreds of million of USD for freight transport and ease pressure on the Saigon port which are currently overloaded./.