Container ships at a seaport in Vietnam (Photo: VietnamPlus)
Hanoi (VNA) - The maritime industry still has ample room for development, requiring prompt mechanisms and policies to invest in seaports to promote transportation and logistics, and increase national competitiveness, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang has stressed.
Speaking at a working session with VIMC President & CEO Nguyen Canh Tinh on February 9 afternoon, Thang requested the corporation actively put forward measures to bring into full play resources and carry out suitable investment projects to increase competitiveness and ensure efficiency and sustainability in business activities.
Huge potential for development
Talking to the minister, Tinh said that the 2016-2022 period witnessed the recovery and development of the corporation, after a loss of 18 trillion VND (761.5 million USD) recorded in the 2011-2015 period.
Tinh said that the VIMC’s main business activities such as seaports and maritime transportation have gradually brought about profit. This has helped the enterprise put an end to the continuous loss of money and escape the risk of bankruptcy as of the previous period.
He cited data as saying that in the 2015-2022 period, VIMC's total profit was estimated at 9.8 trillion VND. Current equity has increased to 13.8 trillion VND, 2.1 times higher than that in 2015.
However, Tinh also pointed out that the VIMC is facing difficulties in investing and developing its fleet. Decree 171/ND-CP and Decree 86/ND-CP stipulate that the investment in buying ships must be approved in the bidding process, which is not in accordance with international practice. Therefore, the corporation proposed the Ministry of Transport study and amend regulations on buying and selling ships to create more favourable conditions for businesses.
Regarding investment in Can Gio international container terminal, a VIMC report shows that the project has a total preliminary investment of more than 112 trillion VND for seven phases. By 2030, the project will be invested in the first and second phases with a total investment of about 33.69 trillion VND. The project is expected to use 70% loan capital and 30% equity capital. Once operational, Can Gio terminal will be able to receive mother ships of up to 250,000 DWT and feeder ships of 10,000-65,000 DWT.
Perspective of Can Gio international container terminal (Photo: VietnamPlus)
VIMC Vice President Pham Anh Tuan suggested the ministry consider and report to the Prime Minister to adjust the master plan on development of Vietnam's seaport system. He also suggested an update to content of the Can Gio terminal master plan in the planning of groups of seaports and in the detailed planning for development of seaport lands and waters in the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.
Minister Thang expressed his support for the project and urged the corporation to work with relevant units and urgently implement related procedures to soon put the terminal into reality.
Developing fleet in both quantity and quality
Emphasizing the importance of the maritime transportation business, the minister asked the VIMC to focus on developing the fleet in both quantity and quality to further improve its cargo transportation capacity.
Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang speaking at the meeting with VIMC leaders. (Photo: VietnamPlus)
The investment must be done step by step, certainly and carefully to reduce risks, he noted, requiring the corporation to speed up digital transformation./.
