Typhoon Conson, the first in Vietnam so far thisyear, made landfall in Hai Phong on July 17, blowing the newly-built17,500 DWT Shinsung Accord, the 1,700 DWT Vinashin Express 01 and theVinashin Orient, away from their wharf at the Bach Dang ShipbuildingCorporation where they were under repair.
The shipsdrifted freely before getting stuck under the Binh Bridge , causingserious damage and forcing the bridge to close.
At present, theHai Phong authorities and the Ministry of Transport and Communicationare assessing the damage and working out how to repair the bridge sothat it can become fully operational as soon as possible.
The1,280m Binh Bridge , which was first opened to traffic in May 2005,carries the main road that connects central Hai Phong City withThuy Nguyen district.
The construction and supervision of thebridge was carried out by Japanese companies./.