‘Unprofitable’ Chumphon seaport project shelved
THE Marine Department has abandoned its plan to build the Chumphon deep-water seaport, arguing the project would not have been financially viable.
Deputy Transport Minister Ormsin Chivapruck yesterday inspected the local administration at Chumphon and said the seaport would have been unprofitable based on the Marine Department’s conclusion.
Ormsin said the department’s academic consultants were in agreement on this conclusion due to the global slowdown in building large seaports, as alternative transport systems such as rail networks were faster and also globally connected.
But Chumphon Chamber of Commerce chairman Kitti Kittichontawas said there was solid evidence the deep-water seaport would be successful and the private sector was ready to assist the authorities to make it a reality.
Ormsin assured Kitti that he would re-evaluate the project and come to a final conclusion after taking into account all aspects.
Locals had vociferously protested against the construction of the deep-water seaport, as they were worried it would badly affect the marine ecosystem and destroy the small-scale local fishing industry.
They were also concerned it would bring industrial development to the province and cause environmental problems for local communities.
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