Spring is approaching in China, while summer has already arrived in Vietnam. At 11:08 a.m. on April 10 (local time in Vietnam), 2022, the No. 17 and No. 18 coke ovens of the No.5 0.5 MTPA Coking Project for Vietnam Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel Joint Stock Company, a project undertaken by Huatai as the EPC contractor, were successfully ignited and began the oven drying process. This achievement was made possible by the dedicated efforts of all project team members, the strong support from various Huatai departments, and the close cooperation from the client and subcontractors. This marked the completion of the coke oven section of the project, and the start of the final countdown to its startup, representing another solid step forward for Huatai in expanding our overseas market presence.

From December 2021 until just before the 2022 Spring Festival, subcontracted workers on the project tested positive for COVID-19 one after another due to the ongoing outbreak in Vietnam. Under the guidance of company leadership, the Project Management Department, and the Construction Management Department, the on-site project team resolutely implemented China’s prevention and control policies, adopting scientific protective measures and maintaining strict containment protocols. Daily health monitoring and reporting, disinfection, and regular nucleic acid testing were organized. Close contacts were placed in centralized quarantine, while confirmed cases received care, treatment, and isolation, with their status reported to the embassy. The project team actively coordinated with the Chinese Embassy and the client to secure COVID-19 inactivated vaccine doses for all project personnel before the Spring Festival. The third dose of the vaccine was administered to nearly the entire project team, providing protection against severe illness and ensuring rapid recovery for those who tested positive. The project team’s efforts yielded excellent results - the number of infections was effectively controlled, and the project achieved zero active cases before the Spring Festival.

The situation took an unexpected turn after the Spring Festival. Vietnam experienced a massive surge in COVID-19 cases, with daily new infections nationwide peaking at over 400,000. Subsequently, Vietnam’s local pandemic control policies were fully relaxed, and mandatory quarantine was no longer required for confirmed cases or close contacts, allowing people to return to work as usual. Despite this challenging backdrop, the project team remained steadfast in adhering to its established pandemic prevention and control measures. However, given the extremely high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, even the strict measures consistently maintained by the project team could not prevent the spread of the virus. To date, the project team (including Zhongxin Design Institute, manufacturer technicians, and subcontractors) has recorded over 100 confirmed cases, with a significant number of secondary infections, resulting in a positivity rate exceeding 90%. However, amidst the pandemic, humanity persevered. In response to the fear felt by subcontracted workers regarding the pandemic, the project team actively provided reassurance and regular wellness checks, ensuring that our compatriots working abroad felt the warmth and humanistic care. As workers gradually wrapped up their phases of work and prepared to return home, the project department navigated complex entry policies and procedures through multiple channels, actively assisting with the necessary paperwork to ensure workers return home in an orderly and phased manner.

Faced with such an adverse situation, the company leadership, various departments, and the Design & Research Institute provided strong support in China. The project team organized epidemic prevention and control measures while advancing the project construction, with everyone doing their utmost and covering for one another. Even those who tested positive and were in isolation continued to work remotely, remaining on the front lines. Despite adverse factors such as pandemic-induced labor shortages, delays in the delivery of equipment and materials, and over 90% of the team testing positive, the project team persevered through immense hardship, and navigated the raging pandemic. Embracing a spirit of fearlessness in the face of the pandemic, and with resilience amidst hardship, a sense of responsibility, and a determination to overcome difficulties, the Huatai team finally achieved the thrilling moment of coke oven heating up!

Huatai Project Team Attending the Coke Oven Drying Out Ceremony with the Owner

Joint Ignition by Huatai Project Manager, General Manager and Deputy General Manager of the Coking Plant

Regular Nucleic Acid Testing for Workers

Project Team Addressing Concerns of Distressed Workers

Regular Disinfection of The Living Quarters by Project Team Members on A Rotating Shift Basis