Finding solutions to improve competitiveness in the logistics industry

Today, May 30, 2024, Hoa Sen University organized the Ho Chi Minh City Logistics Forum 2024 with the theme "Improving the competitiveness of Ho Chi Minh City logistics".

At the forum, Mr. Henry Vo - Head of Sea Freight Department, Expeditors Vietnam Co., Ltd. said that currently, the world logistics industry is moving towards green and sustainable development.

Specifically, in January 2020, the International Maritime Organization issued a regulation on the use of environmentally friendly fuels to minimize the damage to the marine environment caused by the shipping industry.

The International Maritime Organization requires all shipping lines worldwide to use cleaner fuel with a sulfur content of 0.5% instead of 3.5% as before and is applied to all global shipping routes.

Ho Chi Minh City Logistics Forum 2024 was recently held at Hoa Sen University - (Photo: Sy Dong).

To meet the above requirements of the World Maritime Organization, shipping lines have taken specific actions. For example, MSC has proposed a solution on using clean fuel, biofuel in transporting sea containers.

Looking at the competitiveness of the logistics industry in Ho Chi Minh City in 2023, Mr. Henry Vo pointed out two factors that reduce competitiveness compared to other countries in the region: unsynchronized infrastructure and undiversified international shipping routes.

In this forum, Mr. Henry Vo also pointed out 6 indicators affecting the competitiveness of the logistics industry in Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular. Regarding the Customs agency, Mr. Henry Vo suggested that this unit needs to have appropriate policy adjustments to reduce customs clearance time and goods costs at border gates.

Mr. Henry Vo - Head of Sea Export Department, Expeditors Vietnam Co., Ltd. - (Photo: Sy Dong).

In addition, the State and localities need to focus on investing in infrastructure such as seaports and roads to facilitate the circulation of goods. At the same time, diversify international shipping routes and diversify regional connections. For example, between Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces and regions. Along with that, it is necessary to focus on training human resources in new technology logistics so that the operation process is quick and effective.

As for logistics businesses, they need to increase investment in digital technology, automate some tasks so that logistics activities can meet customer delivery deadlines and query customer information in a timely manner. "If we invest more and focus on sustainable development of the logistics industry, it will be a plus point in improving the competitiveness of this industry in the future," Mr. Henry Vo emphasized.

Mr. Truong Tan Loc - Marketing Director, Saigon Newport Corporation shared at the workshop - (Photo: Sy Dong).

Sharing the same view, Mr. Truong Tan Loc - Marketing Director, Tan Cang Saigon Corporation shared that currently in Vietnam in general, logistics only revolves around seaports and airports. Therefore, we should follow the principle of "clear roads, clear goods". Roads, rivers, sea routes... must be regularly maintained and expanded to connect more easily with airports and seaports.

“In Ho Chi Minh City, logistics centers have been planned, but there needs to be connecting roads. Currently, roads such as Ring Road 3 and 4 need to be connected as soon as possible to increase regional connectivity. The goal is to get goods in and out of the city faster, thereby reducing costs and time,” Mr. Loc shared.

The Marketing Director of Saigon Newport Corporation also hopes that the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department need to soon have a mechanism to facilitate and simplify procedures so that goods can circulate faster.

Ho Chi Minh City has approved the project "Developing the City's logistics industry to 2025, with a vision to 2030". Thereby, striving for the growth rate of logistics service revenue of enterprises to reach 15% in 2025 and 20% in 2030, the contribution ratio of logistics to the City's GRDP to reach 10% in 2025 and 12% in 2030.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-tim-giai-phap-nang-cao-nang-luc-canh-tranh-nganh-logistics-323271.html