Developing green ports is both a requirement and a driving force

Vietnamese enterprises are ready to transform into green ports

According to the Master Plan for the development of Vietnam's seaport system for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, seaports are positioned as a strategic unit in the logistics network, responsible for about 90% of the volume of import and export goods. With that role, the development of a modern, green and smart seaport system is an inevitable trend to increase operational efficiency, reduce logistics costs and meet international environmental standards.

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Xuan Sang emphasized that green ports are not only a requirement of new-generation free trade agreements, but also an inevitable trend from the market itself. If businesses do not convert in time, they will be eliminated from the international supply chain.

In reality, many large domestic enterprises have begun to take strong action. Mr. Tran Van Ky - Chairman of the Board of Directors of hateco Group - said: "From the beginning, we have designed a modern port model associated with the green port criteria, from applying solar energy, managing with digital software, to planning to install an on-board power supply system (OPS) for anchored ships. This is a high initial investment direction but a long-term operating savings, and at the same time a "passport" to participate in the global logistics chain".

Not only port enterprises, but also consulting, design, and infrastructure construction units are ready to accompany in the conversion.

Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, General Director of Port Design - marine Engineering Consulting JSC ( Portcoast) informed that more than ten years ago, Vietnam's seaport infrastructure system was very outdated. The equipment mainly uses fossil fuels such as gasoline and oil. However, since Vietnam committed to green transformation, businesses have gradually changed their awareness of this issue.

Green port conversion consists of 3 phases. The first is the stage of awareness and commitment of business owners on green port transformation. The second is the implementation process of business owners. The third is to verify the effectiveness in practice.

Currently, Vietnam has done a very good job in the first phase. Most businesses have recognized and committed to green transformation.

Barriers and solutions to promote green transformation

Mr. Pham Anh Tuan said that although businesses are aware, committed and eager for green transformation. However, converting seaport infrastructure from fossil fuels to clean fuels such as electricity is facing many difficulties. One of the biggest barriers is financial resources.

To solve this problem, businesses in the port development sector hope that the state as well as credit institutions need more preferential credit loans specifically for green transformation.

Statistics from the Vietnam Maritime Administration show that the country currently has 34 officially operating seaports, but the number of ports that truly meet the green port criteria is still very limited. Equipment systems still mainly use fossil fuels; the rate of renewable energy application, automation and digital management is still low.

Many businesses have proposed that the State should issue detailed criteria for green ports suitable to Vietnam's conditions, have tax incentives and at the same time need to have a mechanism to encourage conversion through rating scores, and include them in investor selection criteria.

Notably, in the Project to develop Vietnamese logistics services by 2035, the Government also set a goal of "stepping up the formation of a green port system, reducing emissions from logistics activities, and improving the sustainable development index".

Therefore, green ports are not only a part of the climate change response strategy, but also an opportunity to improve national competitiveness, creating an image of Vietnamese businesses that are responsible for the environment. Every transformation step, no matter how small, is an important step in the journey towards a green economy.

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