PPG Vietnam Handle Key Shipments for Vital Hydroelectric Project

PPG Vietnam Handle Key Shipments for Vital Hydroelectric Project

PPG Vietnam, Vantage Logistics Corp., have successfully concluded the delivery of Hydroelectric Plant Equipment for the vital Ba Ha Project. This project is one of the biggest and most important hydroelectric plant in the middle of Vietnam, located on 15 wards of 2 districts belonging to 2 provinces (Phu Yen and Gia Lai). The project investment is VND4.275bil (USD252m), with 2 main generators each with a capacity of 220MW, to supply electric for a large area within the middle, north and south of Vietnam, to contribute in the economic development and livelihood of these developing regions. The level of importance of this project is so high that it was carried out directly under the special structure of Vietnam’s Prime Minister.


The demand is to fulfil establishment of the 1^st generator by End 2008, to start testing in January 2009 and officially contribute electricity to the national system in February 2009. The shipping of the final and decisive shipment, including 12 spillway radial gate cylinders which are used to lift the spillway port (very important part of the project), was delayed and arrival at Ho chi Minh City port necessitated the urgent request to Vantage Logistics to receive the 12 cylinders direct from vessel hook, clear customs and transport the equipment 700klms to site within 48 hours over the weekend of Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th December 2008. These units were successfully delivered to site and the cylinders were installed into their positions on Monday 29th December 2008. Ms. Florence Lam of Vantage advises “the mission may not sound too difficult in many countries, but for a developing country like Vietnam, it was in reality a very large challenge”.

First, it is about customs formalities. Since this is a tax free project, Vantage had to submit the original “quota” document for customs to check and approve before clearing customs. Yet on 26th December, the customer had another import shipment for the same project arriving at Quinhon port (which is 650 km from Ho Chi Minh City) so the original quota had to stay in Quinhon at that time, then travel overnight back to Ho Chi Minh City for final customs clearance on 27th December. This was indeed a very tight schedule for the dedicated staff at Vantage.

Secondly, there was strictly no room for error, with every aspect, including loading, lashing, securing and road transport under a 100% safety inspection circumstance. This approach was necessitated due to the high profile, importance and value of the shipment. All this was successfully concluded despite ageing port cranes and inferior street conditions which are not always perfect. Despite these conditions, Vantage made the project a complete success, with their 6 trucks carrying arriving on site at Ba Ha on time and on budget. The 12 cylinders were safely unloaded from the trucks with the compliments from the customer who concluded “We are much impressed and surely we will co-operate with you for future”.