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Central Provinces to Tap Maritime Tourism Potential

Cửa Đại bridge in the central province of Quảng Nam. The province plans to upgrade part of its Kỳ Hà Port for cruise services to nearby islands. — Photo baodautu.vn

The central province of Quảng Nam plans to upgrade part of its Kỳ Hà Port for cruise services to nearby islands, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Đinh Hài has told Việt Nam News.

Hài said Kỳ Hà Port, which has been used as a major cargo port, will reserve a 20m pier for boat services linking the provincial islands of Chàm, Tam Hải with Quảng Ngãi Province’s Lý Sơn Island and Hàn River Port in Đà Nẵng City.

“We will also build a reception area and accommodations at the port and upgrade the cargo quay into a tourism service pier. The Kỳ Hà Port, which allows cargo ships with a capacity of 20,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage), can be used for cruise and speed boats over the summer holidays,” Hài said.

He said the province will co-operate with neighbouring Quảng Ngãi and Đà Nẵng and travel agencies in boosting tour boat services.

The province hosted 4.4 million tourists, 2.3 million of them foreigners, in 2016. It wants to increase the number to 5 million tourists in 2017 and 8 million in 2020.

The province also plans to upgrade Chu Lai Airport to handle 2.3 million passengers and 1.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2025, as well as launching sea routes from Kỳ Hà Port to Hong Kong and Singapore.

Boat service

Meanwhile, the island district of Lý Sơn has put into operation the first speed boat service between the island and Sa Kỳ Port on the mainland.

Vice chairwoman of the district’s People’s Committee, Phạm Thị Hương, said the 85-seat speed boat, owned by a private company, will help cut traveling time from the coastal area of Quảng Ngãi Province to the island from one hour to 25 minutes.

She said the Chín Nghĩa company invested VNĐ10 billion (US$442,000) in the project. A second boat is expected to go into operation next month.

Currently five cargo and seven passenger ships serve 1,500 commuters and islanders traveling from Quảng Ngãi to Lý Sơn Island each day.

Lý Sơn Island, 30kms off the coast, is home to about 21,000 residents. Most make their living fishing and farming garlic and spring onions.

The island is also a favourite destination during holidays, with 100,000 tourists visiting annually.

The district’s vice chairwoman said Mường Thanh Group also invested VNĐ40 billion ($1.8 million) to build a 260-seat cruise ship.

In 2015, the district also launched a new sea route connecting the island to An Binh Islet, about 5km away.

According to island authorities, 18 hotels, guest houses and home-stays provide accommodation for 1,000 tourists at present.

The Agriculture and Rural Development Bank of Việt Nam (Agribank) also built the first Automated Teller Machine (ATM) on the Island, while Tiên Sa Taxi put into operation the first public taxi service in 2015.

Source: vietnamnews.vn

Vinalines, Vinacomin join hands in goods shipping (10/03/2017)

A cargo ship of Vinalines. The group has pledged to provide transport and logistic services to the Vietnam National Coal – Mineral Industries Holding Corporation in a cooperative agreement. — Photo vinalines.com.vn

The Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) and the Vietnam National Coal – Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (Vinacomin) on Thursday signed a strategic co-operation agreement.

Under the agreement, Vinalines will provide services of container shipping, barges and bulk carriers as requested by Vinacomin to transport goods to local and international destinations.

The group will also supply logistics services, such as warehouse and customs clearance, for Vinacomin’s shipments.

“The agreement signed with Vinacomin is expected to help Vinalines gradually increase its market share in domestic and international maritime transport,” Nguyễn Cảnh Tĩnh, acting general director of Vinalines, said.

The agreement would start a new chapter for co-operation between the two corporations, Tĩnh added, saying that Vinalines has pledged to become a trustworthy partner and contribute to the success of Vinacomin.

Vinacomin general director Đặng Thanh Hải said each year, the corporation needs to transport 35 million tonnes of goods on the waterway and seaway. The figure is forecast to increase to 40 million tonnes by 2020, thus the partnership with Việt Nam’s largest maritime shipping group would bring more benefits to Vinacomin.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Hồng Trường said the agreement would create favourable conditions for the two sides to closely monitor the progress of goods transportation and control costs.

The deputy minister said he hoped Vinalines would find ways to avoid losses and waste during operation, which would help reduce transport costs for customers.

Source: vietnamnews.vn

SunriseJSC History and Development

Over ten year of development, Sunrise JSC has been expanding its branches in the various region across the nation, including Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh and many representative offices in ports of Vietnam.

• (2006) Sunrise JSC established in Hongai Port, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
• (2007) Sunrise JSC launched its Representative office in Ho Chi Minh.
• (2008) Sunrise JSC established another Representative office in Hai Phong City.
• (2009) Sunrise JSC established a further Representative office in Da Nang City.
• (2017) Sunrise JSC replaced Representative office in Quang Ninh City.

Taking advantages of our strength in Maritime Service, we have been continuously building our expertise in a modernized way. We are now specialized in providing the following services:

• Ship agency for all types of vessels
• Exploitation and chartering
• Freight Forwarders.
• Warehousing and logistics activities
• Loading and unloading services
• Marine supply
• Import and Export limestone, cement…
• Stevedoring service

Vietnam – Denmark signed the Undertakings on mutual recognition of certificates of competency for crew members of seagoing vessels under Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention (24/02/2017)

In 10th February, Vice Minister of Transport -Nguyen Van Cong met with Under Secretary of State for the Danish Maritime Authority – Andreas Nordseth. Ambassador of Denmark to Vietnam –  Charlotte Laursen also attended the meeting.

At the meeting, Under Secretary of State for the Danish Maritime Authority – Andreas Nordseth emphasized the close relationship between Vietnam and Denmark. Besides, Mr. Andreas Nordseth suppose that both sides need to further promote their cooperation in the maritime field.

Both sides agreed to further promote cooperation in the maritime field

According to Mr. Andreas Nordseth, although the world economy have many dificulties which influence maritime transport activities but two sides still have many opportunities in cooperation in empowering Vietnam seaport in the region

“I wish that our cooperation in the maritime field will become deeper and more effective, especially in green development, efficiency in using fuel, training of human resources … “, said Mr. Andreas Nordseth.

Vice Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Cong stated that Viet Nam is known to have a favorable geographical location with the long coastline of more than 3,000 kilometers with 44 seaports and 253 harbours. Lach Huyen port in the North and Cai Mep – Thi Vai port in the South are capable of receiving ships of over 100,000 tons. The average growth rate of the logistics sector in Vietnam is from 16% to 20%. However, Mr. Nguyen Van Cong also noted that transportation in Viet Nam had to face many challenges such as the lack of capital investment in infrastructure development, inefficiency in applying science and technology and inadequacy in high-quality human resources. Therefore, Vietnam wanted to strengthen cooperation with other countries including Denmark.

Reviewing the cooperation between two sides, Vice Minister of Transport Mr. Nguyen Van Cong  appreciated the fruitful cooperation between Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines), Sai Gon port and APM Terminals from Denmark in the Cai Mep International Terminal project. In 2016, the total output of vessels and barges through the port reached 1.2 million TEU, with the increase of 68% compared to the number in 2015. From 2014 to 2015, Vietnam Maritime University had partnered with Silkeborg Business School in implementing training programs based on advanced models, receiving Danish lecturers to teach in the university, student exchange …

Mr. Nguyen Van Cong affirmed that: “Denmark is a country with advanced transportation systems among European countries, especially in maritime field. We look forward to increase in exchanging and sharing information, looking for investment opportunities to reach the comprehensive and specific cooperation in the transport sector”.

Both sides have had very active cooperation in the maritime field

To further strengthen the cooperation between two sides in the maritime sector, Vice Minister of Transport Mr. Nguyen Van Cong suggested of signing a Memorandum of Understanding in fostering maritime relationship between the two maritime agencies in order to promote the political partnership, support trade exchange and economic cooperation between Viet Nam and Denmark.

He also proposed that two sides should maintain consultation, coordination and mutual support in international maritime forums such as the IMO, IMSO …; create favorable conditions for shipping enterprises of both sides to search for, exchange and gain more chances of cooperation.

Under the witness of Vice Minister of Transport Mr. Nguyen Van Cong and Ambassador of Denmark to Viet Nam Mrs. Charlotte Laursen, Deputy Administrator of VINAMARINE Mr. Bui Thien Thu and Under Secretary of State for the Danish Maritime Authority Mr. Andreas Nordseth signed the Undertakings on mutual recognition of certificates of competency for crew members of seagoing vessels under Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention

During the visit of Under Secretary of State for the Danish Maritime Authority – Andreas Nordseth, Vietnam Maritime Administration and Denmark Maritime Authority signed the Undertakings on mutual recognition of certificates of competency for crew members of seagoing vessels under Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention in order to facilitate seafarers working on board of both countries flagged vessels.

MEPSEAS project launched to protect South-East Asia marine environment(27/07/2018)

Seven ASEAN countries have formally launched an ambitious initiative aimed at improving the environmental health of the seas in the region, through the implementation of key International Maritime Organization (IMO) marine environment protection treaties.

Senior decisions makers of maritime administrations of the beneficiary ASEAN countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) met for their first high-level regional meeting in Bali, Indonesia (25-27 June), to kick-start the “Marine Environment Protection for Southeast Asia Seas (MEPSEAS) Project”.

“The MEPSEAS project is a clear demonstration of the continued commitment of the ASEAN countries to move towards a sustainable maritime transport system and to address significant marine environmental issues,” said Jose Matheickal, Deputy Director (Major Projects) of IMO.

IMO is implementing the project, with funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). The ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (ASEAN MTWG), the highest regional policy making body dealing with maritime matters in the region, will act as the advisory body for the MEPSEAS project.

The four-year MEPSEAS project (2018-2021) will focus on enhancing the countries’ capacity to implement a number of high-priority treaties, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL); the Anti-Fouling Systems Convention; the London dumping of wastes at sea convention and protocol; and the Ballast Water Management Convention.

The high-level meeting, supported by IMO, was also attended by project strategic partners (Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA); Women in Maritime Asia (WIMA ASIA); and the Tokyo MOU regional port State control (PSC) organization); non-beneficiary partner countries, including Singapore; and shipping industry representatives.

Opening the meeting, Mr. R. Agus H. Purnomo, Director General for Sea Transportation under Ministry of Transportation, Government of Republic of Indonesia, said that the MEPSEAS project provided an opportunity for the countries to tackle the risks the marine environment faced in the region and support sustainable growth in the maritime sector.

“We should work together to ensure a continued and strengthened contribution towards a green economy and growth and to protect our marine environment in a sustainable manner. Our active involvement through the MEPSEAS project will prove that we have the same commitment to protect our marine environment,” Mr. Purnomo said.

The meeting plans to agree a Project Work Plan and regional coordination and information sharing arrangements.

The MEPSEAS project will promote national legal and policy developments and related capacity building in port and flag state inspections to support enforcement of the selected Conventions. The Project is also expected to support specific port biological baseline survey training, the Green Shipping-Green Port-Green Shipyards (GGG) initiative of the Philippines and the holding of a regional maritime technology conference, among other activities.

The MEPSEAS project will build on a previous IMO-Norad foundation project which directly led to the six countries concerned (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) making substantial progress in implementing or acceding to IMO environmental treaties. The latest country to join the project is Myanmar, which aims to initiate actions to accede to and implement two marine environmental Conventions in the near future. For countries which have acceded to the relevant treaties, the new MEPSEAS project will allow them to focus on effective implementation.

“The MEPSEAS project is a clear demonstration of the continued commitment of the ASEAN countries to move towards a sustainable maritime transport system and to address significant marine environmental issues,” said Jose Matheickal, Deputy Director (Major Projects) of IMO.

“The IMO-Norad foundation project was a remarkable success and IMO is once again very proud to partner with Norad, the ASEAN countries and all the strategic partners to build on the foundation project in a regionally-coordinated way,” Mr. Matheickal said.

IMO was also represented at the meeting by Ms. Josephine Uranza, who is based in the IMO regional office in Manila, Philippines, and Ms Brenda Pimentel, IMO regional project consultant.

Download photos.

Download the MEPSEAS project brochure (PDF)

IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

Web site: www.imo.org

UN maritime organization celebrates 70 years with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (06/03/2018)

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim accompanied Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to IMO.

Seventy years to the day since the treaty establishing the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) was adopted, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II marked the occasion at IMO Headquarters in London on Tuesday (6 March).

Accompanied by IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a commemorative plaque and cut an anniversary cake. Her Majesty also met some of the guests attending the event, including representatives of IMO Member States, inter-governmental and international non-governmental organizations, and IMO Secretariat staff.

“We are celebrating 70 years of achievement, in which the truly vital industry of shipping has become safer, cleaner and greener, thanks to the work of IMO. We are also looking ahead to the exciting new challenges on the horizon,” said IMO Secretary-General Lim.

“Billions of ordinary people, all over the world, rely on shipping every day of their lives – even if they don’t realise it or understand it. It is our role to ensure shipping can continue to make this vital contribution to global well-being,” Mr Lim added.

The Convention on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was adopted on 6 March 1948 at the United Nations Maritime Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland. The convention entered into force 10 years later, on 17 March 1958, when the 21st State ratified the treaty. IMO’s first meeting was held in London on 6 January 1959, at Church House in central London.

Since then, IMO Member States have pursued their mission to develop the global regulatory framework for international shipping.

Today, IMO continues its work to improve maritime safety and security, the efficiency of navigation and the prevention and control of pollution from ships, as well as the fair and effective implementation of its regulations.

Notes:
IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of pollution by ships.

IMO today has 173 Member States and three Associate Members.

The IMO Headquarters building, located on London’s Albert Embankment on the south bank of the River Thames, was purpose-built by the United Kingdom Government for the Organization during the 1970s, with its foundation stone laid by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, in 1979. The building was formally opened in 1983 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen’s cousin, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester re opened the building in 2008 following a major refurbishment.

The 6 March 2018 event was attended by representatives of IMO Member States, inter-governmental and international non-governmental organizations, and IMO Secretariat staff.

Source: imo.org

UN maritime organization celebrates 70 years with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II