Binh Duong develops a sustainable green logistics ecosystem

	Binh Duong’s key exports lack orders
	Nearly 5,800 new enterprises established in Binh Duong in 10 months
	Binh Duong received many export orders at the end of the year

Binh Duong has many advantages to develop logistics. Photo: Gemadept

Promising pathway

Binh Duong is among the regions with significant advantages for developing logistics services in the Southeast region. This is attributed to its railway station, seaport, and an interconnected road system that consistently ranks among the top in the country for attracting foreign investment. Phan Thi Khanh Duyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Binh Duong Province, stated that the future of logistics services in Binh Duong, as well as Vietnam, can be considered promising and full of potential.

Recognizing the opportunities brought by the development of logistics services, Binh Duong swiftly identified logistics services as a foundation to attract foreign investment and integrate into the international economy, aspiring to become the logistics center of the Southern region. To realize this goal, the province has timely promoted and created favorable conditions for businesses to develop cross-border transportation methods, encouraged the application of technology, and improved the quality of the workforce.

According to the Draft sustainable development plan for the logistics system until 2030, with a vision to 2050, Binh Duong determines that in the period from 2026 to 2030, the province will become a satellite logistics center in the Southeast region. To achieve this goal, Binh Duong will focus on the development of new logistics centers, modern and professional ICD dry ports, meeting international standards. Binh Duong aims to make logistics services one of the important and leading economic sectors by 2045, serving as a driving force for the province's economic and social development.

However, according to Phan Thi Khanh Duyen, alongside the advantages, many limitations still exist. According to statistical data, in 2021, logistics costs in Vietnam accounted for about 16.8% of the value of goods, while this cost worldwide is only about 10.6%. Vietnam has a relatively high cost compared to countries such as China, Thailand, Japan, and the EU. The connection between manufacturing, import-export businesses, and logistics services is not tight and effective. There is a shortage of capacity, especially high-quality human resources, hindering the development of logistics. Therefore, comprehensive development of logistics services is needed, along with creating links between logistics and businesses in manufacturing and trade, shaping and developing logistics in Binh Duong within a sustainable ecosystem. Leveraging the advantages of the Fourth industrial revolution to optimize the efficiency of digital and green transformations in logistics will help reduce costs, increase competitiveness, and minimize environmental impacts.

Operation of green projects

As observed, many businesses in Binh Duong are actively embracing the trend of green logistics, spreading meaningful messages about the environment.

To resolve logistics bottlenecks and facilitate import-export activities, during a recent seminar and customer appreciation conference, Do Thu Huong, Deputy Director of Marketing at Saigon New Port Corporation, proposed a solution called the "Integrated port and logistics ecosystem combined with digital ecosystem application." This solution focuses on green logistics solutions for the Thanh Phuoc - Tan Cang - Cat Lai waterway route and the Cai Mep port cluster to promote green transportation methods, providing convenience for customers and acting as an extended arm bringing the port closer to customers' factories. Particularly, Tan Cang - Tan Van inland port, located in the central coordination area for Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City, provides empty container management services, making it convenient for businesses in the region and reducing costs for enterprises.

With a long-term vision and a responsibility for environmental protection and development, U&I Logistics (located in Nam Tan Uyen Industrial Park, Binh Duong Province) has been actively involved in environmental protection throughout its years of operation. The company consistently strives to enhance the use of clean energy to implement a green logistics system, creating sustainable business value by balancing economic efficiency and environmental considerations. The company uses clean energy to "green" its production, employs electric vehicles powered by clean energy, designs sustainable structures, and applies technology for efficient data management, minimizing transportation and delivery times.

For instance, in March 2023, U&I Logistics pioneered the application of virtual reality technology to its external warehouse system, providing customers with a unique and novel "virtual space - real experience," a first in the logistics sector in Vietnam. Similarly, U&I Logistics has been using its paperless office software (Office No Paper - ONP) for over 10 years, helping manage the flow of cargo efficiently, ensuring close monitoring and processing of customers' cargo.

In Binh Duong, the Eco Logistics Centre, owned by Chuong Duong Beverage JSC and developed and operated by Frasers Property Vietnam, is the first pre-built warehouse project in Vietnam to be LEED certified as a green building by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The Eco Logistics Centre has achieved prestigious certification and become an exemplary project in Binh Duong. The project meets strict criteria within the framework of LEED certification (a green building assessment system with leading standards in energy and environmental design), aligning with LEED v4 standards (evaluation system for logistics centers and warehouses).

With the direction set by Binh Duong and the contributions of businesses over the years, the province is heading towards the development of a sustainable green logistics ecosystem.