Vinalines Container launches first lighterage service in northern region hinh anh 1Containers are loaded onto a lighter at Hai Linh port in Viet Tri city (Photo: VNA) 

Hanoi (VNA) – The Vinalines Container Shipping Company, a subsidiary of the Vietnam Shipping Lines (Vinalines), on June 23 launched its first-ever waterway lighterage service in the northern region, focusing on the Hai Phong-Viet Tri route.

The firm will operate 2-3 lighters per week from Hai Linh port in Viet Tri city of Phu Tho province to Hai Phong city.

Dinh Hai Bac, Director of Vinalines Container, said the company will provide trucking service for customers in Viet Tri before the containers are transported to Hai Phong and then central and southern localities.

Bac said that the service aims to diversify services, expand markets and reduce container trucks operating in Viet Tri area.

The Ministry of Transport assessed that currently, the domestic waterway transport is half cheaper than road transportation. Meanwhile, it is suitable for container transport, helping ease road transportation overload.

In the coming time, Vinalines Container will continue expanding its lighterage services in the Mekong Delta region, thus creating a service chain connecting economic zones, industrial parks and major commercial ports to improve productivity and reduce transport fees.

Earlier, a Vinalines’ port has cooperated with Hyundai Merchant Marine and ZIM International Shipping Line to connect major Asian ports to the Cai Lan international container port in the northern province of Quang Ninh, welcoming ships of up to 5,000 TEU to the port.-VNA
VNA