Promote and develop shipping - It is not easy

28/05/2023

90% of Vietnam's international exports are dependent on the international ship transport system, which leads to the dependence on logistics costs. In the period in which we are integrating deeply, building a national fleet is a problem. However, this is not an easy matter.

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Vietnamese goods are "beaten" by shipping charges

Mr. Nguyen Van Hien, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Lemon Company (Chavi), based in Ho Chi Minh City, said that the business is exporting fresh lemons to the Netherlands, and some other countries in Europe and is expanding. school to America.

Previously, each 40-foot container exported to Europe was only about $4,000-6,000, but now it has more than doubled. That's not counting the many other costs that come with the shipment. Logistics fees increase, and businesses have to press their bellies to reduce profits.

“Now that the freight rates are high, we have to bear with them, their customers also bear this part, almost all of them are on our side. Previously, each container made a profit of 7,000 - 10,000 USD, now the profit has decreased. If you want to maintain your job, you have to suffer no other way, "- Mr. Hien shared.

According to Mr. Le Quang Trung, Deputy General Director, National Shipping Lines Corporation - Vice Chairman of Vietnam Logistics Service Business Association, it is forecasted that goods through Vietnam's seaports by 2030 will be about 1,140 - 1,423 million tons. This shows that our country's shipping market is very large.

Currently, 90% of our country's containerized goods are exported internationally by foreign ships. Therefore, profits and costs are all dominated by international shipping companies. Therefore, the development of the national fleet is very important. However, corporations and corporations like Vietnam National Shipping Lines cannot do it because of legal regulations.

Mr. Le Quang Trung added: “Decree 17, Decree 68 related to the issue of bidding and ship investment… Even though I wanted to start work right away, I couldn't do it. We need to remove it so we can invest in ships to support the routes."

Dr. Ho Minh Son, Director of the Institute for Market Research - International Communication (IMRIC), said that the investment in developing the national fleet to transport import and export goods ensures the initiative, economy, and safe in this area.

Vietnam has the 3rd largest fleet in the ASEAN region and 28th in the world. Currently, there have been Vietnamese enterprises investing in specialized ships with large tonnage such as crude oil ships with a tonnage of up to 320,000 DWT, and many specialized bulk carriers of over 100,000 DWT. This is the basis for the domestic fleet to gradually transform according to the world trend in order to optimize transport costs and reduce dependence on foreign fleets.

“Currently, we are opening up many opportunities for Vietnam's shipping fleet. However, it also creates challenges for market share due to the large fleet of foreign container shipping vessels entering the domestic shipping market. In this context, the development of a shipping fleet is always considered essential, and is expected to reduce dependence on foreign fleets" - Dr. Ho Minh Son said.

Not easy!

According to Mr. Dang Ngoc Quy, Tam Nguyen Fruit Import and Export Trading - Production - Processing Co., Ltd - Ho Chi Minh City, the logistics charge offered by international shipping lines has increased by more than 50% and domestic enterprises only know how to "grind to endure". Therefore, the formation of a national transport fleet and export enterprises are very supportive.

However, forming a fleet requires a large investment, if only solving the short-term problem of reducing logistics costs is not enough because when put into operation unprofessional and lacks commerciality, the fleet will be difficult to compete with large shipping lines and become a burden to the national economy.

“If it can be built and the cost is reduced, the better, but the price is the same as that of international firms, don't do it. Because current international partners, they always appoint shipping lines to deliver goods to them. The competitiveness lies in the fact that when Vietnamese enterprises export Vietnamese goods and choose the option of Vietnamese shipping lines to export goods… It is important that their partners accept or not, then their services to your country are welcomed or not. It's a big problem" - Mr. Dang Ngoc Quy commented.

With the task of economic development, demonstrating the role of a maritime country, a national fleet that can reach the far seas is becoming more urgent than ever for Vietnam's maritime industry and ministries. related industry. This is also a long-term strategic task that needs to be carried out selectively and with full assessment to be practical, objective and flexible with the new situation.

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