“杠杆”发展越南与老挝和柬埔寨的水运
The Department of Waterways promotes international cooperation, facilitates transport development, reduces logistics costs, thereby increasing economic efficiency.
The Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration (VN) said that during the official visit to Laos by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone witnessed the signing ceremony of 10 documents. cooperation, including a comprehensive cooperation agreement in the field of waterway transport between the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Laos.
The signed Agreement is the result of cooperation efforts during the past three years between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Lao Water Transport Department and the Ministry of Transport, the Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration. Along with that is the effort of relevant agencies in the field of waterway transport in Vietnam such as the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the Vietnam Register and the Vietnam Maritime University.
Previously, in order to complete the draft Agreement, the delegation of Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration also worked with the Department of Transport in Luang Prabang and conducted a field survey of the river routes: Mekong, Nam Khan and Ta Ngon river; Visit and work at Luang Prabang water port, Tha Na Leng dry port - Vientiane Logistics Park and Vientiane water port (Km4).
The survey results show that, in general, the waterway transport system of Laos has the Mekong River as the main waterway with more than 1,800 km flowing through the territory, of which nearly 1,000 km are operated for transport, with 29 port, more than 500 cargo vehicles, more than 4,000 passenger vehicles.
Some areas have great potential to connect logistics with Vietnam such as the port area of Vientiane, which is the central river port of Laos, northeast of the Mekong River. The port is connected to Vung Ang port of Vietnam via the Laos - Vietnam railway. This is a proposed railway project to further boost Laos' ambitions to become a regional logistics hub. The port of Vung Ang, Ha Tinh bordering the Bolikhamsai and Khammouane provinces of Laos will give Laos important access to the South China Sea as well as major markets Korea, Japan, and others.
The potential of Laos' waterway transport is great, the opportunity to expand connectivity and cooperation with Vietnam. However, resources in terms of human resources, infrastructure, equipment... are still limited.
Therefore, the recently signed Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement will contribute to supporting the Lao side in the period of 2022 - 2027 in waterway transport activities, including: exchange of expertise, knowledge, human resource training, and improvement of the system. legal system, policies, standards, regulations, registration, registration, management and operation of ports, wharves, logistics and other related contents; To facilitate the transport of goods imported and exported from Laos through the system of seaports and inland waterway ports of Vietnam.
With the implementation of this Agreement, it will not only support the Lao side in the field of inland waterway transport but also promote cross-border transport and logistics between the two countries.
Facilitating water transport between Vietnam and Cambodia
According to a representative of the Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration, Vietnam connects river and coastal routes with many neighboring countries such as China, Laos, Cambodia..., opening up opportunities for cooperation and promoting waterway transport through borders, bringing efficiency and socio-economic benefits to countries.
Over the past time, Vietnam has actively and actively promoted international cooperation in the field of inland waterway transport.
In particular, with Cambodia, since 2009 the two countries have signed the Agreement on Water Transport (Agreement), which came into force in 2011, to establish a legal framework for the effective implementation of freedom of navigation in the sea. The Mekong River system for the sustainable development of the river basin, creating favorable conditions for transit and cross-border navigation activities on regulated waterways
The Department of Inland Waterways of Vietnam has determined that this is one of the important waterway transport routes, not only contributing to enhancing trade and cooperation between the two countries but also serving practically businesses and economic development. Therefore, over the years, the Department has always actively and actively coordinated with relevant agencies and units to remove difficulties and create favorable conditions for navigation activities between the two countries.
The highlight of the results in the past 2 years is the proposal of the Ministry of Finance to issue Circular 74/2021/TT-BTC dated August 27, 2021, according to which inland waterway vehicles operate transport on the routes. According to the Agreement, when entering and leaving the maritime area, tolls and charges shall be paid at the rates of waterway fees and charges instead of the international maritime fees, so 10 to 11 times lower than the international shipping rates. old fee.
At the same time, it is recommended to Ho Chi Minh City on the fee for using works, infrastructure, service works, public utilities in the seaport border gate area in the city. Ho Chi Minh City has issued a Resolution, according to which, from August 1, 2022, fees will be exempted for goods temporarily imported for re-export, goods temporarily exported for re-import, goods stored in bonded warehouses, goods in transit, and goods trans-bordered. , exports and imports are transported into and out of the port by inland waterway vehicles operating on waterways according to the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Royal Government of Cambodia on waterway transport. .
These regulations have greatly facilitated water transport enterprises, reducing logistics costs in general, thereby contributing to attracting goods on the route.
“In 2023 and the following years, the Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration will continue to effectively implement international cooperation in the waterways sector, especially cooperation with Cambodia on waterway transport under the Agreement on Waterway Transport. waterway transport between the two countries and comprehensive cooperation in waterway transport with Laos. At the same time, promoting the implementation of projects within the framework of Vietnam - Australia cooperation (A4T project), Mekong - Lan Thuong project... Thereby, promoting international cooperation to facilitate and develop Water Transport".
Source: logistics.gov.vn
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