Rapid greening of the logistics sector to avoid being "eliminated"

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Scene of the seminar

Greening is no longer just a trend

On May 14th, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), Vinexad Company, in collaboration with the Import and Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), organized a seminar to introduce the Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2024 (VILOG 2024).

Speaking at the seminar, Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Import and Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), stated that logistics is identified as an important service sector in the overall structure of the national economy. Logistics plays a supporting, connecting, and promoting role in the socio-economic development of the country as well as each locality, contributing to enhancing the competitiveness of the economy.

In recent years, Vietnam's logistics sector has made remarkable progress with an average growth rate of 14-16% per year, with an annual scale of US$40-42 billion. The number and quality of logistics service businesses are increasing. According to Agility's 2023 evaluation, Vietnam ranks in the top 10 among 50 emerging logistics markets globally.

Currently, Vietnam is considered to have many opportunities to promote the development of the logistics service sector. Specifically, the road traffic infrastructure system, airports, seaports, warehouses, commercial infrastructure, and logistics centers are continuously expanding on a large scale. Along with that, the accompanying services are timely meeting the diverse requirements of the market. The procedures and clearance times for export goods have also improved significantly.

According to Dao Trong Khoa, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), for the first time, Vietnam committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

For the logistics sector, "greening" is no longer a trend but has become a mandatory requirement for businesses. Accordingly, Vietnamese logistics businesses need to leverage this advantage, turning greening into a motivation, a necessary requirement to enhance competitiveness, improve brand image, and aim for more sustainable and comprehensive development in global business, trade, and import-export activities.

Khoa noted that a series of legal documents, decisions, decrees, and action programs on green transformation and sustainable development in all forms of transportation such as road, sea, rail, air, and inland waterways have been issued by the Government and relevant agencies. A favorable legal corridor with a specific implementation roadmap has demonstrated the determination of the Party, Government, and management agencies towards sustainable development, including green logistics development, creating a motivation for green transformation for businesses in the industry.

According to the VLA representative, if the criteria for greening the logistics sector are not quickly and immediately implemented, businesses will face significant difficulties in the future and gradually be "eliminated" from domestic and global business, trade, and import-export activities.

Opportunity to access advanced global technology

In this context, VILOG 2024, with the theme: "Green Logistics - Foundation for Sustainable Development," serves as a platform for logistics businesses to showcase technical solutions, advanced technologies, and strategies that prioritize sustainability and promote green transformation throughout the industry. From integrating renewable energy and efficient transportation systems to emission reduction initiatives and supply chain management aimed at environmental protection, the exhibition will provide a comprehensive view of the latest advancements in green logistics.

Tran Thanh Hai stated that VILOG 2024 marked an important turning point, providing a place for logistics businesses to gather and chart a path toward a more sustainable future.

VILOG 2024 will take place from August 1 to 3, 2024, in Ho Chi Minh City.

The exhibition is expected to have 480 booths from 350 businesses, with a display area of up to 9,000 square meters.

In 2023, VILOG was successfully held for the first time, with the participation of 256 businesses (354 booths) from 22 countries and territories, attracting over 25,000 visitors and achieving a high volume of trade transactions in the three-day exhibition.

Within the framework of VILOG 2024, a workshop titled "Vietnam Customs conduct digital transformation, promote logistics development and trade facilitation" will be held on August 1, organized by the Customs News and the Customs Committee of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association. It will explore the multifaceted impacts of digital transformation in the customs sector in Vietnam. In an era of rapid technological advancements, Vietnam Customs is keeping pace with digital transformation, updating new solutions, promoting logistics development, and enhancing trade facilitation.

A workshop on "Sustainable aviation logistics," organized by the VLA on August 2, will feature experts from the International air transport association (IATA), the Aviation Committee, and the Technology committee of the international federation of freight forwarders associations (FIATA AFI, ABIT) along with the Digital transformation and sustainable development committee of the ASEAN federation of forwarders associations (AFFA S&D).

A workshop titled "Green skills training for logistics workforce - ESG integration," organized by the Vietnam Logistics Research and Development Institute (VLI) on August 3, will discuss training in green skills and the urgency of a sustainable development model integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria.