Decision No. 1601/QD-TTg approves the Master Plan for the Development of Vietnam's Maritime Transport until 2020 and orientations until 2030.

Pursuant to …;

Approving the Master Plan for the Development of Vietnam's Maritime Transport
until 2020 and orientations until 2030

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Ministry of Transport (report No. 4356/TTr-BGTVT dated June 29, 2009) on the Master Plan for the Development of Vietnam's Maritime Transport until 2020 and with a vision to 2030,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approving the Master Plan for the Development of Vietnam's Maritime Transport until 2020 and with a vision to 2030, including the following main contents:

1. Views and Objectives of Development

a) Views on Development:

- Maximizing the advantages of geographical location and natural conditions of the country, especially the potential of the sea, to develop maritime transport comprehensively and with breakthroughs towards achieving the goals of Vietnam's Marine Strategy until 2020, specifically ranking second in marine economy by 2020 and first among five sectors of marine economic development after 2020; contributing to national security and defense;

- Developing maritime transport towards modernization with continuously improving quality, reasonable costs, safety, minimizing environmental pollution, and energy conservation; enhancing competitiveness in maritime transport to proactively integrate and expand regional and global markets;

- Synchronizing the development of maritime transport with related transport sectors such as road, inland waterway, and railway transport; applying and developing advanced transport technologies, focusing on multimodal transport and logistics services to create a synchronized, integrated, and efficient transport system;

- Investing in developing a fleet with a rational structure, modernity, and strong international market competitiveness; prioritizing investment in deep-water ports, transshipment ports, and international gateway ports in key economic regions; Studying the combination of dredging and channel improvement to ensure safe entry and exit for large vessels;

- Socializing investment in developing the fleet and maritime transport infrastructure to the maximum extent possible.

b) Objectives and Directions of Development:

By 2020, fully meeting all domestic maritime transport needs of the national economy with high growth rates, ensuring high quality, reasonable costs, and minimizing environmental pollution. Specifically for each sector:

- Regarding maritime transport:

Improving the quality of maritime transport services, meeting domestic maritime transport demands, increasing the share of export-import cargo transportation to 27-30%, combining foreign charter cargo transportation on long-distance maritime routes. The volume handled by the Vietnamese fleet will be approximately 110-126 million tons by 2015; 215-260 million tons by 2020, and doubling by 2030 compared to 2020; passenger numbers will reach 5 million in 2015; 9-10 million in 2020, and increase by 1.5 times in 2030 compared to 2020;

Developing the Vietnamese maritime fleet towards modernization, focusing on specialized ships (container ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers, etc.) and large-capacity vessels. By 2010, total deadweight tonnage will be 6-6.5 million DWT; by 2015, it will be 8.5-9.5 million DWT, reaching 11.5-13.5 million DWT by 2020. Gradually rejuvenating the Vietnamese maritime fleet to achieve an average age of 12 years by 2020.

- Regarding the port system:

During the period from 2020 to 2030, focus on developing a synchronized and modern port system and channels leading to ports. Investment in building ports should be accelerated, with priority given to locations with favorable conditions and port construction needs, to exploit natural advantages and meet the requirements of maritime transport for national economic development; simultaneously serving as a basis for planning and developing a comprehensive and unified national port system; forming infrastructure connection centers at various regions, particularly in key economic zones, economic zones, and major industrial parks; developing large international transshipment ports and international gateway ports in suitable areas to affirm the position and advantage of the marine economy, creating important economic exchange nodes between domestic and foreign markets to achieve the goals of the Marine Strategy.

- Regarding shipbuilding industry:

By 2020, developing the shipbuilding industry to reach advanced levels in the region, capable of constructing cargo ships up to 300,000 DWT, passenger ships, offshore service vessels, rescue and salvage vessels, ensuring maritime safety, and other engineering vessels, meeting 65-70% of the domestic fleet replacement needs during 2010-2020; providing comprehensive repair services for vessels up to 400,000 DWT; meeting the requirements of economic and social development and strengthening exports to contribute to foreign currency earnings;

Balancing the development of shipbuilding and repair industries. Quickly adopting modern technology, emphasizing deep investment to enhance the efficiency of existing shipbuilding and repair facilities, including auxiliary industries.

- Regarding maritime services:

Developing synchronized support services for maritime transport, particularly logistics services and multimodal transport services with high quality, aiming for full-service packages and expanding internationally to meet integration requirements. Forming inland ports compatible with the development of economic corridors and distribution centers linked to seaports;

Developing synchronized logistical bases, ensuring maritime safety, search and rescue systems, and maritime information technology systems to meet development requirements and comply with international conventions.

2. Content of the Master Plan

a) Planning Types and Sizes of Vessels for Transport:

- International Routes:

For bulk cargo: coal for thermal power plants and iron ore for steel mills using vessels of 100,000-200,000 DWT; aluminum exports using vessels of 70,000-100,000 DWT; grain exports and fertilizer imports, clinker imports using vessels of 30,000-50,000 DWT;

For general cargo: mainly using vessels of 10,000-20,000 DWT for Asian countries; using vessels of 20,000-30,000 DWT for European, American, and African countries;

For containerized cargo: using vessels of 500-3,000 TEUs for Asian countries; using larger vessels of 4,000-6,000 TEUs and even larger when conditions permit for European, American, and African countries;

For liquid cargo ships: mother ships refueling at Vân Phong use ship sizes from 150,000 to 300,000 DWT for intermediate fuel oil; product oil uses ship sizes from 10,000 to 50,000 DWT; crude oil uses ship sizes from 100,000 to 300,000 DWT; liquefied gas uses ship sizes from 1,000 to 5,000 DWT.

- Domestic routes:

For bulk cargo and general cargo: use ship sizes from 1,000 to 10,000 DWT.

For containers: use ship sizes from 200 to 1,000 TEU.

For liquid cargo: specialized oil product carriers use ship sizes from 1,000 to 30,000 DWT; crude oil transfer ships from oil fields to refineries use ship sizes from 100,000 to 150,000 DWT.

b) Planning for the development of the fleet of marine transport vessels:

- The total volume of transportation capacity of Vietnam's marine vessel fleet by 2020 will reach 215 to 260 million tons, including international transportation at 135 to 165 million tons/year and domestic transportation at 80 to 105 million tons/year;

- Scale and demand for additional deadweight tonnage of the vessel fleet:

The total deadweight tonnage of Vietnam's marine cargo vessel fleet by 2020 will be 11.8 to 13.2 million DWT, including: general cargo vessels 3.84 to 4.45 million DWT; bulk cargo vessels 2.70 to 3.11 million DWT; container vessels 1.49 to 1.71 million DWT; crude oil vessels 1.92 to 2.21 million DWT; product oil vessels 1.69 to 1.77 million DWT;

The demand for additional capacity of Vietnam's marine cargo vessel fleet by 2020 will be 3.8 to 4.9 million DWT;

The demand for additional passenger seating capacity for cruise ships and coastal passenger ships to islands will be approximately 14,000 seats.

c) Orientation for the development of the maritime port system:

- To meet the needs of maritime transport development and national economic and social development, the planning of the Vietnamese maritime port system until 2020 with a vision to 2030 needs to be reviewed, updated, adjusted, and supplemented with a longer-term perspective. The orientation for the development of port systems in the coming period, in addition to upgrading, deepening investment, fully utilizing the capacity and efficiency of existing ports, should focus on building international transshipment ports, international gateway ports in key economic regions, some deep-water specialized ports for handling large-scale container, coal, ore, and oil operations with modern equipment... to gradually integrate our country into international competition in port investment and operation activities within the region and globally;

- Focus on improving and maintaining navigation channels to ensure synchronized and effective operation conditions for ports; develop integrated railway, road, inland waterway transportation networks to ensure connectivity between ports and inland ports, distribution centers, economic zones, industrial parks, inland waterway ports... to facilitate goods entering and leaving ports, enhancing port utilization efficiency;

- Develop port berths on island districts with appropriate scales based on natural conditions and socio-economic development needs to transport goods and passengers serving economic and social development, security, and defense;

The planning of the Vietnamese maritime port system until 2020 with a vision to 2030 will be approved by the Prime Minister in a separate document.

d) Orientation for the development of the shipbuilding industry:

- To meet the goal of supplementing and repairing the domestic vessel fleet, producing export products as set out in the objectives, establish shipbuilding factories capable of constructing and repairing vessels up to 400,000 DWT;

- Emphasize the development of supporting industries for the shipbuilding and repair sector to form a complete and synchronous shipbuilding industry that meets the development and protection needs of the country; utilize the capabilities of other industries nationwide to enhance specialization and investment efficiency;

The overall planning for the development of the shipbuilding industry will be approved by the Prime Minister in a separate document.

g) Orientation for the development of maritime support services and logistics:

- Develop various types of maritime support services, logistics services, and multimodal transport services, particularly in the northern port group, the Ho Chi Minh City - Dong Nai - Ba Ria Vung Tau port group, and the Mekong Delta port group. Pay attention to improving the quality of maritime support services, logistics services, and multimodal transport services;

- Apply information technology effectively in management, operation, and activities of these services;

- Develop distribution centers linked to container terminals, especially at gateway ports and international transshipment ports;

- Develop maritime support services towards international integration; strengthen state management in ensuring service quality and market health.

e) Orientation for human resource development:

- From now until 2020, train and upgrade 39,000 seafarers, including training new personnel about 24,000 people (including 16,000 people to meet the requirements of fleet development and 8,000 people to replace current staff; training structure: officers and managers about 9,600 people, seafarers and marine technical workers about 14,400 people); upgrade training for 15,000 existing workforce members. Encourage training of high-skilled officers and seafarers for the export of seafarers;

- Strengthen efforts in training human resources for logistics, shipbuilding, and port operations;

- Reform training methods, programs, standards, and maritime training, especially for the training of management cadres, officers, seafarers, and logistics and multimodal transport management cadres. Emphasize language training and practical training alongside theoretical instruction. Enhance cooperation between shipping companies and training institutions.

g) Capital investment needs for marine transport development until 2020:

Total investment costs for the vessel fleet and logistics service distribution centers from now until 2020 will be approximately 270 to 290 trillion VND, to be raised legally by enterprises.

3. Some main solutions and policies

- Review, amend, supplement, and gradually perfect the system of maritime industry regulatory legal documents and related sub-law documents. In the short term, amend and supplement legal regulatory documents on multimodal transport, logistics services, management of investment and exploitation of seaport infrastructure to be consistent with Vietnam's situation and development trends; legalize Vietnam's commitments within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO);

- Vigorously promote administrative reform in the marine transportation sector, particularly in the streamlining of administrative procedures at Vietnamese seaports and ship registration procedures; quickly implement information technology applications, deploy electronic port authorities, electronic customs, and implement a single window policy to facilitate ships and vessels entering and leaving seaports;

- Strengthen inspection and supervision of the enforcement of Vietnamese laws and relevant international conventions on ensuring maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental protection that Vietnam has joined; guide and effectively implement the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), international conventions on limiting pollution from ships (MARPOL 73/78); invest in equipment to address oil spills and collect waste at seaports; improve the quality of Vietnamese ship surveyors and the quality of ship registration and technical supervision, especially for international shipping routes;

- Encourage all economic sectors, including foreign organizations, to invest in developing the Vietnamese fleet. Develop a program to develop the fleet to have appropriate and synchronized support mechanisms and policies for investment in development and modernization of the national flag fleet. Create a transparent and favorable environment to ensure fair competition, attract capital for investment in development and modernization of the fleet; enhance the close relationship between the fleet, seaports, and the logistics service system;

- Build a maritime service network system to enhance competitiveness in the context of international and regional economic integration; build and develop the Vietnam Maritime Corporation as the backbone in the marine transportation and logistics service, supporting marine transportation service, seaport sectors; the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group as the backbone in the shipbuilding industry;

- Establish mechanisms and policies for development to encourage investment and manage effectively distribution centers and inland ports to support the development of logistics services, enhance the close and effective relationship between fleet operation, seaports, and the supporting service system. Study appropriate mechanisms and policies to build and attract investment for Vietnamese logistics services;

- Vigorously promote socialization in training, including domestic and international joint training; consolidate and develop specialized universities, colleges, vocational schools for marine transportation in the three regions of North, Central, and South to meet the human resource needs for operating and exploiting ships, seaports, shipbuilding industry, logistics services, and exporting seafarers; provide preferential policies for workers in the marine transportation sector, especially officers, seafarers, and labor in shipbuilding and repair factories to encourage long-term commitment to the profession;

- Promote international cooperation in the maritime field, actively participate and implement international conventions, bilateral and multilateral agreements in the maritime sector;

Article 2. Implementing organization.

1. The Ministry of Transport shall take the lead, coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies, provincial people's committees under the central government to organize the implementation of this planning as soon as possible, closely combining with the implementation process of the Marine Strategy;

2. The Ministry of Transport shall direct and guide state-owned economic groups, corporations, and enterprises operating in the marine transportation sector to implement development plans in accordance with the marine transportation planning; at the same time, study and propose necessary solutions to effectively implement the planning in line with the socio-economic development of the country at each stage;

3. The Ministry of Transport shall coordinate with provincial people's committees under the central government to study the development of cargo distribution centers and logistics services at important transportation nodes; establish a system for collecting and treating oil waste generated from marine transportation activities; develop railway, road, and inland waterway transportation network planning to serve the effective development of marine transportation;

4. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs shall take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Transport to study and promulgate preferential policies for special workers in the marine transportation sector, which are heavy and dangerous industries;

5. The Ministry of Education and Training shall take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Transport to study and innovate training methods and training standards for the workforce in the marine transportation sector to further improve the quality of human resources for the marine transportation sector to meet new requirements;

6. The Ministry of Transport shall take the lead, coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Finance to study and promulgate or submit to competent authorities for promulgation policies to create conditions for the development of marine transportation; at the same time, study and promulgate policies for the development and management of logistics services;

7. The Ministry of Transport shall strengthen state management, guide, and inspect the planning for the development of marine transportation, supporting marine transportation services, and logistics services; complete strategic environmental impact assessment reports and submit for approval according to regulations;

Article 3. This Decision takes effect from the date of issuance. This Decision replaces Decision No. 1195/QĐ-TTg dated November 4, 2003 of the Government Chairman regarding the approval of the Planning for the Development of Marine Transportation in Vietnam until 2010 and orientations until 2020.

Article 4. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees directly related shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.