Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has approved Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) to set up a joint venture with three Japanese companies to build two wharfs costing US$350 million in the northern city of Haiphong, according to Vietnam News Brief Service.

Japanese firms Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Nippon Yusen KK and Itochu Corporation and Vinalines will carry out the project under the public-private partnership (PPP) form.