Greening ports and logistics is an urgent matter

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Senior Colonel Bui Van Quy

Saigon Newport Corporation has been selected as a pioneer in developing green ports, what are some outstanding activities of the unit in recent years?

Saigon Newport is the leading enterprise in port operation and logistics in Vietnam, standing in the group of 20 seaports with the largest container volume in the world, holding 55% of the country's import and export market share. With the role and mission of ensuring the smooth flow of goods through the port and connecting with the global supply chain, the facilities of Saigon Newport Corporation are always dual-use "when the average is a fisherman, when the other is a soldier".

Regarding green port development, Saigon Newport Corporation was honored to be selected as the first single point in Vietnam to build a green port program. The unit has established a Green Port Steering Committee to gradually develop and implement short, medium and long-term plans to carry out the work of converting to using clean, renewable energy, and at the same time applying advanced information technology to exploit and operate the port to minimize emissions, protect the environment, and protect green areas. In particular, we develop green logistics and transportation segment to increase inland waterway transport and transport goods from deep-water ports in key areas to localities where the trend of transportation is increasing. This is in line with the world trend.

Can you tell me more about the efficiency of water transportation of Saigon Newport Corporation?

According to calculations, transporting ine container of 20 feet from Lach Huyen deep-water port - Hai Phong to ICD Que Vo Bac Ninh by barge with a capacity of 96 TEUs takes about 10 liters of oil, while transporting by tractor takes about 45 liters of oil. With a capacity of 30,000 TEUs in 2022, the company's barge transportation on waterways contributes to reducing emissions by up to 80%, therefore, the development of waterway transport contributes to the development of green transport, from which contributes to the development of green logistics in Vietnam.

Currently, we are expanding and promoting green transport by increasing inland transportation connecting major gateways, such as Cai Mep - Ba Ria - Vung Tau deep-water port and Hai Phong port cluster with other localities. With this mode of transport, it will contribute to reducing emissions into the environment.

What are the results of the ports of the Saigon Newport Corporation system in green port development?

Tan Cang Cat Lai Port is the first port in the country to be honored with the Green Port Service Award by the APEC Port Services Network (APSN) in 2017. And by 2020, Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Port (TCIT) became the second port in Vietnam to receive the title of Green Port of APEC seaport.

The Green Port Award recognizes the APEC Port Community's efforts of the Board of Directors and all employees of Saigon Newport Corporation in recent years in port development and sustainable environmental protection.

The Green Port Award is an encouraging mark for Vietnam's port system and Saigon Newport as it continues to receive recognition from prestigious international organizations, leading the movement and goals of developing a green port system. That is also the Government's orientation on studying and applying the "greening" model of seaport development and operation, balancing environmental fluctuations and the economic development needs of ports, in the world and in Vietnam.

What is the roadmap for the future of Saigon Newport Corporation in developing green ports?

Saigon Newport Corporation is realizing Resolution 36 of the Central Executive Committee on sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy, is conducting a re-evaluation of new green port criteria in line with international standards and there is an assessment in the implementation of green ports of ports in the system of Saigon Newport Corporation. Along with the construction of a green port, Saigon Newport Corporation has a responsibility to society to share its experience in building green ports and spreading the experience of implementing green ports, participating in blue ocean projects, and transporting goods and services of international blue sea.

In 2022 and the following years, Saigon Newport will focus on sustainable development, being environmentally friendly and reducing carbon emissions. Specifically, smart technology must be applied in ports and chains must be supplied to optimize operations; unnecessary movements must be minimized. Green materials are used to gradually replace traditional fuels such as diesel with new fuels such as gas, wind power, solar energy, etc. The use of solar batteries must be encouraged and grid electricity to supply ships when the ship is in port instead of running the ship's generator. New fuels are researched and used in carbon neutral future. Bringing carbon emission reduction criteria to evaluate and consider APEC green port awards towards the goal of sustainable development with a green supply chain in the near future to protect the environment.

Especially, we are participating in the ASEAN seaport program and the Asia-Pacific seaport network. As a pioneer in port operation and logistics, we will join hands with the domestic and international community to build a greener and more sustainable ocean.

As Vice Chairman of Vietnam Seaport Association, Chairman of APEC Seaport Advisory Council, what can you say about activities on green port development?

During the meetings of the APEC Seaport Advisory Council, Saigon Newport shared a lot of experience as well as learned a lot of highly applicable knowledge, innovative proposals for the smart port development project, enhancing the efficiency of port operation, new criteria for the assessment of green ports, green logistics, sustainable development and responsibility to the community.

In 2022, the Asia-Pacific Seaport Network (APEC) has launched a Supply Chain Recovery Program. In particular, strengthening digital transformation, applying advanced technology, developing smart ports to increase port operation efficiency, smoothly connecting with stakeholders in the supply chain, minimizing direct contact between people and people through methods such as the electronicization of documents and forms of online payment.

At the same time, a standard port operation process is established for ports in the APEC region to exchange and learn from each other's experiences towards APEC standard ports. We study the establishment of a committee to deal with urgent issues in the supply chain where the port operator is a central player, together with stakeholders such as transporters, logistics companies, specialized management agencies to ensure the smoothness of the supply chain and build and develop a sustainable seaport system, green seaports and green logistics.