The Ministry of Transport recently approved a project on Vietnamese merchant fleet development, aiming to handle as much as 10% of the country's exports by 2026, and 20% by 2030, given the current market domination by foreign shipping lines.
At present, Vietnamese exports mainly handled by foreign shipping lines (Photo: thanhnien.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) 💜– The Ministry of Transport recently approved a project on Vietnamese merchant fleet development, aiming to handle as much as 10% of the country's exports by 2026, and 20% by 2030, given the current market domination by foreign shipping lines.
A 2021 report by the Vietnam Maritime Administration (VinaMarine) showed that the volume of goods through Vietnam's seaports has grown steadily for many years with an average rate of 13.8%. Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021, it increased 2% year on year, reaching more than 703 million tonnes. The volume of container cargo was estimated at nearly 24 million TEU, up 6% year-on-year.
As of December 31, 2021, Vietnam's fleet had 1,502 ships, including 1,032 cargo vessels – down from the 1,267 cargo ships of 2016.
In terms of the fleet structure, just a small part of the Vietnamese-flagged merchant fleet are container ships. That means that the fleet is mainly suitable for the domestic or short regional coastal routes. They cannot compete in the international shipping market, where the world is tending to develop larger ships to optimise costs, according to the transport ministry.
As of December 31, 2021, Vietnam's fleet had 1,502 ships, including 1,032 cargo vessels (Photo: VNA)
Therefore, the project’s main goals include the development of a modern fleet, improvement of efficiency and quality and greater integration into the international market.
The immediate focus is to build a fleet of container ships to work in the Asia-Pacific, with an objective to gain operational experience and set the foundation for long-haul trips in the future.
In recent years, the country's ports have been developed considerably in size, and are now able to accommodate the world's largest ships./.
Despite the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the volume of goods through seaports keeps growth momentum, especially container cargo. The connection between the two modes of maritime and inland waterway transport has had positive changes, thus reducing pressure on road transport.
Approximately 1.5 billion USD is needed to build new ships, purchase old ones, and rent and buy containers for Vietnam’s container vessel fleet, according to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA).
The potential is great, but the development and operation of Vietnamese cargo shipping has not been commensurate with the role and position of the country.
Vietnam’s maritime sector is striving to upgrade its international merchant fleet in order to reduce the country’s dependency on foreign-owned vessels in export-import activities.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.