Assessment of the compatibility of the dredged material dumping plan in the coastal waters of Duyen Hai, Tra Vinh province with international standards and practices

Abstract

This study evaluates the conformity of the proposed offshore dumping plan for dredged material in the coastal waters of Duyen Hai (Tra Vinh, Vietnam) with international standards and best practices in marine environmental management. The analysis highlights areas of alignment and gaps by comparing the current Vietnamese legal and technical frameworks with guidelines from international conventions such as the London Convention and OSPAR, as well as practices in developed countries. The findings suggest that while the Tra Vinh project complies with national regulations, several aspects - such as bioassays, material reuse potential, and long-term environmental monitoring - remain underdeveloped. This paper recommends adopting an integrated Weight of Evidence approach, introducing multi-tier classification systems, and considering confined aquatic disposal (CAD) sites to improve the sustainability and environmental integrity of future dredged material management efforts in Vietnam.