VALOMA NEWSLETTER JULY 2023
- HIGHLIGHTS EVENTS
Remember the founding date of VALOMA.
In July 2021, the news about the blockade to combat the Covid-19 epidemic in Ho Chi Minh City made the people of Hanoi nervous. The possibility of Hanoi applying a blockade is very large, the question is only when. During that time, all activities in Hanoi continued as normal.
Previously, on April 30, 2021, the Minister of Home Affairs issued Decision No. 568/QD-BNV allowing the establishment of the Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association (VALOMA). According to the provisions of Article 10 of Decree No. 45/2010/ND-CP, within 90 days from the date of establishment, the Advocacy Committee must hold the first congress. This congress has a very important meaning, both to announce and launch the Association, as well as to approve the Charter, Operational Orientation and elect the Association’s leadership in the first term.
After the issuance of Decision No. 568/QD-BNV, the VALOMA Establishment Advocacy Board urgently conducted preparatory meetings to assign necessary tasks. The date of the Congress is set to be 24/7/2021, on a Saturday for delegates to arrange to attend. This is also near the end of the 90-day period, in order to make the most of the time allowed to prepare thoroughly for the Congress.
The meetings are held in the form of online, both to take advantage of time outside of working hours and for brothers and sisters in different provinces to participate. The first preparatory meeting was held on May 7, 2021, just one week after the issuance of Decision No. 568/QD-BNV. Subsequent preparatory meetings were held on May 21, June 4, June 14, and June 25. The final preparatory meeting (6th) was held on July 19.
Document work, human resource work, logistics work… are gradually improved towards this date. We are all excited because the congress day is also an opportunity to meet and exchange between schools and businesses. Some southern brothers and sisters were expected to fly to Hanoi to attend.
By the beginning of July, the stressful epidemic situation in Ho Chi Minh City showed that it would be difficult to hold the Congress as usual. Southern delegates could not attend the Conference. Although Hanoi still allows concentration, events must be reduced in size. The Preparatory Committee to organize the General Meeting must consider the plan to organize the General Meeting in a limited form. Accordingly, delegates cannot conduct direct voting as at the Ordinary General Meeting, so it is necessary to have an urgent plan to build an online voting method.
One week before the congress, there were opinions on whether to postpone or delay the congress. Along with that, there was information that the host of the congress venue, the National Economics University, had an F0 case, so the school was blocked, unable to continue to host the congress.
In that context, the preparatory meeting on July 19 discussed and made a number of important decisions. Considering that the situation of the Covid-19 epidemic is not likely to ease in the near future, the meeting proposed to keep the time of holding the General Assembly at 8:00 am on July 24, 2021. With a high sense of responsibility, the University of Transport has accepted to host the Congress on behalf of the National Economics University. The meeting also agreed to organize the Congress mainly in the online form, with only about 20 delegates attending directly at the hosting venue to run the Congress and carry out the necessary procedures of the Congress.
These 20 delegates were carefully selected, including 3 Presidium members, 8 guests from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Association of Logistics Service Enterprises, the Vietnam E-commerce Association and the National Startup Association. The rest are personnel in the Secretariat, the Election Team and those who directly do logistics and organization.
As a participant, closely following support for the Association’s Campaign Committee and the Preparatory Committee to organize the Congress, I envisioned a lot about the scenario of the Congress to suit the epidemic context. The AGM program will still have steps that cannot be ignored, such as saluting the flag, announcing and handing over the decision to allow the establishment of the Association, giving a directive statement from the state management agency and congratulating the Association, discussing and approving the Association’s Charter and Operational Program, electing the Executive Committee, Inspection Committee and Association leadership titles, signing an Agreement on cooperation with the Associations, etc. rhythmically to ensure the solemnity of the Congress, while the contents of the Meeting are still fully communicated. The role of the technical department is very important.
At the end of the afternoon on July 23, 2021, I went to the University of Transport, along with Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chuong, Ms. Trinh Thi Thu Huong, Ms. Nguyen Thi Van Ha and some brothers and sisters to review the final stages of preparing for the Congress tomorrow. Everything was fine for now.
At 11pm, VTV’s End of the Day Newsletter reported that Hanoi decided to apply the distance according to Directive 16, effective from 6 am tomorrow. Despite being prepared for every possible scenario, the news still gave me a chilling sensation! Why tomorrow, why is it 6 am and not 12 noon. It felt like all the preparation work that had been going on for the past few days was about to slip away.
The brothers impatiently asked me whether to postpone the Congress or not. Indeed, in the context of this epidemic, the Congress could not be held within the 90-day deadline, and no agency would be able to blame it. But the Association needs to have an apparatus, a seal, and an account to operate as soon as possible.
Talking to a few brothers and sisters, we decided to keep the plan of holding the Congress, but completely online. That way, even the guests don’t come to the venue in person anymore. Unfortunately, because such procedures as announcing the Decision, giving congratulatory flowers, signing the MOU also reduce the meaning or fail to perform. But there is no other way.
At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2021, the 1st Congress of the Vietnam Logistics Human Resources Development Association took place as planned, entirely online. The steps to organize the Congress were carried out in the correct order, the delegates and guests attended the meeting fully, although Hanoi’s application of Directive 16 also made some delegates busy because of dealing with related matters.
At around 11:50 a.m., the congress ended. The moment of saluting the flag ended the Congress, standing still in the room alone, but I felt like I was beating with the hearts of many delegates, who were full of desire and were looking forward to the birth of the Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association to create a breakthrough for human resource training in the logistics industry in the near future.
Reviewing the preparation for the Congress on the afternoon of July 23, 2021.
Program of the Congress of the establishment of the Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association, held online on the morning of July 24, 2021.
Delegates attended the meeting in the form of online.
Delegates participate in voting, approving the Association’s Charter and Operational Program.
The Association’s Executive Committee and Inspection Committee
are nominated and elected by online form.
Dr. Nguyen Thu Thuy, Director of the Higher Education Department,
Ministry of Education and Training, delivered a welcome speech.
Mr. Le Duy Hiep, Chairman of Vietnam Association of Logistics Service Enterprises,
delivered a congratulatory speech to the congress.
2 YEARS old – What has VALOMA done?
The Vietnam Logistics Human Resources Development Association (VALOMA) was allowed to establish by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Decision No. 568/QD-BNV dated April 30, 2021 with the goal of becoming a convergence to spread faster, wider and more effectively modern knowledge, rich experience and advanced technology in human resource training in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. On July 24, 2021, the Launching Ceremony and the First Congress of the Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association was held in Hanoi with the participation of nearly 300 delegates, officially marking the birth of VALOMA.
After 2 years of establishment, Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association has organized 59 useful and practical events and programs for all 3 members, which are businesses, training institutions and individual members. Let’s take a look at VALOMA’s achievements in the past 2 years through the statistics below.
In 2021, in the 6 months since its establishment, VALOMA has organized 08 events at 03 locations: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh and Hung Yen; including 02 seminars, 02 seminars, 01 business survey and other events. Specifically, these include: The opening ceremony and the first Congress of the Association in Hanoi (July 24, 2021), the first VALOMA Voluntary Blood Donation program (October 2, 2021), the seminar program “Starting a business with Logistics (November 2, 2021) and a discussion with the University of Economics and Technology on LSCM training (December 25, 2021), and the Vietnam Annual Workshop on Supply Chain Training (November 16, 2021) 2021, Vietnam Logistics Young Talent Contest (December 12, 2021).
In 2022, the Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association held 23 events in 7 provinces and cities across the country such as Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh, Binh Duong, Long An, Tra Vinh…; including 05 seminars, 01 seminar, 03 business survey trips and many other events. Specifically include: Launching ceremony of the network of Vietnamese Student Logistics Clubs (January 25, 2022); Meeting of the Executive Committee on the implementation of the 2022 work plan (February 19, 2022); survey trip to U&I Logistics warehouse in Binh Duong and BW warehouse in Ho Chi Minh City (January 22, 2022), VALOMA supported Dai Nam University to experience field trips at TC-HICT port (May 11, 2022) and AJ Total Robot cold storage survey trip for members (October 1, 2022);
The second VALOMA Enthusiastic Voluntary Blood Donation Program (April 16, 2022) and the third time (November 12, 2022); seminar program with Dai Nam University on “Sharing experience on methods of organizing training activities associated with practical experience in Logistics and supply chain management, international business” (April 19, 2022), seminar program with Thu Dau Mot University on “Improving the quality of logistics human resources through training associated with practical experience” (May 7, 2022),…; VALOMA visited and worked with Phenikaa University (October 1, 2022); Opening ceremony of VALOMA CONFEST 2022 (October 9, 2022); Workshop “Update technology development trends in logistics industry: training and practice” (October 9, 2022); Finalist of Logistics Young Talent Contest 2022 (November 27, 2022); Conference to launch Mekong Delta Regional Branch and admit new members of Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association (December 4, 2022);…
The event on January 23, 2022, the Logistics Club Network of Vietnam Students (LCN) was officially launched online through the Zoom platform and livestreamed directly on the network’s fanpage (facebook.com/lcn.vn). This is an important event marking the birth of LCN and receiving great attention from ministries, businesses, lecturers and students across the country.
In 2023, in the first 2 quarters of the year, the Vietnam Logistics Human Resources Development Association held 28 events in 09 provinces and cities nationwide such as: Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hung Yen, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Vung Tau,…; including 04 seminars, 05 business survey trips, 01 seminar, visits and working sessions at universities across the country and many other events. Specifically, VALOMA visited and worked at Phu Tho Electromechanical College (January 7, 2023), VALOMA visited and worked at Sao Do University (February 11, 2023), VALOMA visited and worked at Ho Chi Minh City Open University (February 13, 2023),…;
VALOMA members visit T&Y SuperPort Vinh Phuc before it goes into operation (January 9, 2023), VALOMA members visit AJ Total Vietnam’s cold storage (February 11, 2023), VALOMA organizes a network of Vietnamese student Logistics Clubs to survey businesses (March 25, 2023),…; U&I Logistics Meetup event with the theme “Logistics – Sharing and Connecting” (February 16, 2023); Head of VALOMA Training Committee speaks at the Quang Ninh Logistics Development Conference (March 4, 2023); The awarding ceremony of the VALOMA Scholarship Fund – U&I Logistics accompanies the VALOMA scholarship fund (March 16, 2023); program “Meet Spring 2023” (March 19, 2023); The ceremony to announce VALOMA members and organize the seminar “Logistics and logistics human resource needs of Vietnam in the digital business environment” (April 22, 2023), the seminar program “Students start a business with logistics” (June 3, 2023), the seminar program “Journalism and logistics human resource development” (June 17, 2023),…; Workshop E-Commerce Boom: Key For Logistics Development (May 6, 2023); the fourth VALOMA Enthusiastic Voluntary Blood Donation Program (May 6, 2023); the program “Order Fulfillment Forum 2023” (July 21, 2023);…
- CONNECTION ACTIVITIES
Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association visited and worked with the College of Commerce (Da Nang).
On July 13, 2023, Honorary President of Vietnam Logistics Human Development Association – Mr. Tran Thanh Hai and representatives of schools and member enterprises visited and worked with the College of Commerce (Da Nang) for the purpose of discussing the training program of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University.
Attending the meeting, on the side of the College of Commerce (Da Nang), there were the attendance of Dr. Nguyen Tri Vu – Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the School Council, Dr. Vo Hong Son – Rector and teachers are Heads/Deputies of Faculties and Departments. On VALOMA’s side, there were the attendance of Mr. Tran Thanh Hai – Deputy Director of Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade and also Honorary Chairman of VALOMA; Ms. Cao Cam Linh – Head of Research Department. On the side of the associations, there are Ms. Pham Thi Lan Huong – Logistics Business Association (VLA) and Mr. Tran Van Phuong – Hanoi Logistics Association (HNLA).
At the meeting, Dr. Nguyen Tien Da – Head of Import-Export – Logistics Department said that the College of Commerce clearly identifies two main training segments: academic and operational. In particular, the segment of operational training is receiving special attention and attracting better learners, especially for the Logistics industry. The school has advantages in training customs declaration and import and export operations. In the future, the University wishes to become a member of professional associations, including logistics so that it can connect with other training institutions and businesses in the industry.
Also at the meeting, Ms. Cao Cam Linh – Head of the VALOMA Research Department proposed that the University join the Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association. When becoming a member, the University has the opportunity to coordinate with the Research Department and other specialized departments of VALOMA to organize an online training course on import and export, customs procedures, new circulars and decrees. Faculty and staff of the University can also participate in writing textbooks, monographs, in-depth references on operations such as import-export operations, customs operations together with the teachers of the Association, participating in bidding for scientific research topics at all levels and projects of enterprises.
The meeting between the College of Commerce (Da Nang) and VALOMA ended successfully. The Association is committed to connecting and supporting the University in the teaching process, connecting practice between students and businesses during the training process and after graduation.
VALOMA cooperates with VECOM, Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy to organize the Order Fulfillment Forum 2023
July 21, 2023 in Hanoi: The Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy in collaboration with the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM) and the Vietnam Logistics Human Resources Development Association (VALOMA) organized the Order Fulfillment Forum 2023 – Towards Green E-commerce with the participation of more than 300 delegates from state management agencies, domestic and international organizations, e-commerce research and fulfillment institutions, and institutions.
The main topic of the Order Fulfillment Forum 2023 is “Towards Green E-Commerce“. At the Forum, speakers from many different fields discussed strategies for sustainable e-commerce development, optimization of logistics activities to protect the environment, action plans to implement circular economy and implications for e-commerce, sustainable postal development strategy, building a sustainable logistics ecosystem for e-commerce, Greening Logistics – An important direction for the development of more sustainable logistics policies, and in the exchange of goods.
Order Fulfillment Forum 2023 – Towards Green e-commerce This is the first large-scale event that suggests activities at the macro-policy level as well as specific solutions at the enterprise scale to bring Vietnam’s e-commerce from a stage of rapid development to a stage of sustainable development.
- NATIONAL NEWS
Vietnam wants FIATA to support the development of logistics “later forward”
On the afternoon of July 12, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Mr. Ivan Petrov, President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), Mr. Stéphane Graber, General Director of FIATA, Federation leaders and leaders of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA) on the occasion of FIATA’s delegation to Vietnam to attend the series of important international conferences in the field of REAR, AFFIATA and the annual conference in the field of logistics in the field of logistics. Da Nang from July 13-15.
At the meeting between the FIATA and VLA delegations with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Prime Minister thanked FIATA for being an important bridge in recent years, contributing to promoting cooperation between the Vietnamese logistics business community and the logistics service business associations and communities in the world, contributing to the development of the logistics industry, thereby reducing costs, prices, increasing the economy and competitiveness of business products and services.
Currently, Vietnam is building an independent, self-reliant, active economy, proactively integrating into the world effectively and efficiently, including logistics. However, the development of the logistics industry has not kept pace with the world, logistics costs are still high compared to the world average. Therefore, the Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam needs to cooperate with FIATA to consult on a Vietnamese logistics development mechanism that “goes later” to keep up with the times, keep up with the general trend of the world and most importantly help reduce costs, create low prices for products and increase competitiveness in the international arena.
The Prime Minister also said that Vietnam is promoting the development of three strategic breakthroughs including infrastructure to contribute to reducing logistics costs, especially in transport and digital infrastructure. Besides, there are breakthroughs related to administrative procedure reform and human resource training, institutional breakthroughs to facilitate integration and development.
Sharing about Vietnam’s seaport system, the Prime Minister said that a number of large port systems such as Cai Mep – Thi Vai, Lach Huyen, Can Gio are interested by many investors. Vietnam is forming a fleet and forming a team of professional logistics human resources.
FIATA President Ivan Petrov shared with the Prime Minister about the practical impressions in the development of logistics into the Vietnamese economy, especially in the port city of Hai Phong, he highly appreciated the rapid development of the logistics sector in Vietnam and the vision and goals of the Vietnamese Government in this field have many similarities with the vision of FIATA. FIATA wishes to strengthen cooperation and support with Vietnam.
Circular 33/2023/TT-BTC New regulations on origin of goods will take effect from 15/7/2023
On May 31, 2023, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular No. 33/2023/TT-BTC with many new regulations on origin of imported and exported goods to replace the old regulations in Circulars 38/2015/TT-BTC, Circular No. 62/2019/TT-BTC, Circular No. 47/2020/TT-BTC and Circular No. 07/2021/TT-BTC. The changes in Circular No. 33/2023/TT-BTC aim to expand the rights of customs declarants and facilitate the use of Certificates of Origin (C/O) to enjoy tariff preferences.
According to the report of the Customs and Trade Facilitation Department, the regulations on origin of import and export goods of Circular 33/2023/TT-BTC compared to Circular 38/2018/TT-BTC (Amendment and supplement to Circular 62/2019/TT-BTC) have some new points such as:
- There is no requirement to submit an application for pre-determination of origin through the customs electronic data processing system. Meanwhile, only in cases where this processing system does not meet the requirements, the customs declarant can send the paper dossier to the General Department of Customs.
- To create more favorable conditions for enterprises in declaring export certificates of origin (CIT) with specific new regulations such as: clearly stating the process and method of declaration, allowing enterprises the right to amend or supplement in case of undeclared or incorrect declaration, enterprises do not need to submit a copy of the certificate of origin, stipulate a longer time limit for supplementing documents from the foreign customs warehouse, and specify more details on the characteristics of goods from the customs warehouse.
- In addition, the new document adds that in case the importing enterprise exceeds the quantity and weight stated in the original social insurance document, it is allowed to add a social insurance document for such excess, provided that it is appropriate. In the Appendix of items subject to CNXX submission to the Customs office at the time of customs clearance, the new Circular has replaced Appendix II in the old Circular with Appendix V.
The People’s Council of Nghe An province, term XVIII, has just approved a Resolution regulating policies to support shipping lines to load and unload goods and businesses that import and export goods by container through Cua Lo port.
In order to facilitate the import and export of goods through Nghe An province, on 7/7/2023 at the 14th session, the People’s Council of Nghe An, term XVIII, approved a Resolution regulating policies to support shipping lines to transport international and domestic containers; supporting enterprises with import and export goods transported by container to and from Cua Lo port.
Specifically, Nghe An province will apply a policy to support shipping lines transporting international containers to carry out cargo handling at Cua Lo port with the highest level of 300 million VND / port call.
For shipping lines transporting domestic containers (including transshipment through international ports) that carry out cargo handling at Cua Lo port (except for temporarily imported goods for re-export, goods in transit) with a minimum frequency of two port visits/month will be supported 100 million VND/port visit.
Nghe An province also decided to support businesses with import and export goods transported by containers to and from Cua Lo port. Accordingly, for a 20-foot container, 600,000 VND/container is supported; 40 feet container is supported 1 million VND/container.
In the Resolution, Nghe An province suggested shipping lines and businesses eligible for the policy to submit documents directly or via postal service through the Nghe An Provincial Public Administration Service Center or online at the Information System to settle administrative procedures of Nghe An province.
Within 7 working days from the date of receipt of a complete dossier, the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board shall consult relevant agencies and decide to pay support funds for shipping lines and enterprises. In case of ineligibility for support, the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board will notify in writing the shipping lines and enterprises and clearly state the reason.
This resolution of Nghe An province will be implemented within 2 years from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.
The People’s Council of Nghe An province, term XVIII, has just approved a Resolution regulating policies to support shipping lines to load and unload goods and businesses that import and export goods by container through Cua Lo port.
In order to facilitate the import and export of goods through Nghe An province, on 7/7/2023 at the 14th session, the People’s Council of Nghe An, term XVIII, approved a Resolution regulating policies to support shipping lines to transport international and domestic containers; supporting enterprises with import and export goods transported by container to and from Cua Lo port.
Specifically, Nghe An province will apply a policy to support shipping lines transporting international containers to carry out cargo handling at Cua Lo port with the highest level of 300 million VND / port call.
For shipping lines transporting domestic containers (including transshipment through international ports) that carry out cargo handling at Cua Lo port (except for temporarily imported goods for re-export, goods in transit) with a minimum frequency of two port visits/month will be supported 100 million VND/port visit.
Nghe An province also decided to support businesses with import and export goods transported by containers to and from Cua Lo port. Accordingly, for a 20-foot container, 600,000 VND/container is supported; 40 feet container is supported 1 million VND/container.
In the Resolution, Nghe An province suggested shipping lines and businesses eligible for the policy to submit documents directly or via postal service through the Nghe An Provincial Public Administration Service Center or online at the Information System to settle administrative procedures of Nghe An province.
Within 7 working days from the date of receipt of a complete dossier, the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board shall consult relevant agencies and decide to pay support funds for shipping lines and enterprises. In case of ineligibility for support, the Southeast Economic Zone Management Board will notify in writing the shipping lines and enterprises and clearly state the reason.
This resolution of Nghe An province will be implemented within 2 years from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.
Lang Son researches and deploys smart border gates, speeding up customs clearance with China
On June 26, 2023, the People’s Committee of Lang Son province (Vietnam) and the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) agreed to sign a Framework Agreement on promoting the pilot construction of a smart border gate between Vietnam and China.
Accordingly, the two sides agreed to jointly promote the pilot construction of a smart border gate at the dedicated freight transport route Huu Nghi international border gate (Vietnam) – Huu Nghi Quan (China), and the dedicated freight route Tan Thanh (Vietnam) – Po Chai (China).
At the meeting, the departments and branches of Lang Son province focused on discussing and proposing a roadmap and steps to implement the construction of a smart border gate; The delegates basically proposed towards the option of deploying the construction of a smart border gate according to the mode of transportation by AGV autonomous vehicles on the ground.
Mr. Ho Tien Thieu, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee emphasized that the construction of a smart border gate model is in line with the policy and orientation of the Government as well as that of Lang Son province, in line with the objectives of the National Digital Transformation Program and of Lang Son province, thereby creating favorable conditions for goods clearance activities quickly and efficiently, especially during the peak period of import and export congestion, especially during the peak period of import and export.
Leaders of Lang Son province requested relevant departments, agencies and branches through diplomatic work, to continue to meet and discuss with the Guangxi side, China, organize a mission to survey the reality of the smart border gate model that has been successfully deployed by your side; besides, consult the competent authorities on the pilot implementation of smart border gate construction; take steps in accordance with regulations to establish a working group to study and build smart border gates.
- REGIONAL AND WORLD NEWS
China-Europe H1 rail freight recovers after reducing the volume of sea freight.
China-Europe rail freight volumes have rebounded this year, up 30% in the first half of 2022 and six months after Russia was the sole factor stopping the drop in traffic.
China-Europe Railway Express handled more than 936,000 teu between January and June, on about 8,641 services, representing an increase of 30% and 16% year-on-year, respectively, as volumes recover from a difficult period ending in 2022.
These improvements stand in stark contrast to the position of Chinese railways at the beginning of the year, with only Russian domestic rail demand preventing a collapse of China-European rates.
At the time, Chinese railway operators found themselves competing with “cheap” ocean freight rates, prompting many customers to opt for slower but less expensive sea routes.
Russian shippers no longer able to ship by sea have turned to sourcing goods from China. It is this demand that has allowed Chinese rail services to keep prices high for European demand.
Vietnam is geographically located very close to China. Currently, the road connection between Vietnam’s production areas and China is very good, but special attention is needed and development of the Vietnam – China railway. The investment in an intermodal railway connecting to China and Europe will make Vietnam’s import and export activities with these major markets more favorable, enhancing Vietnam’s position in the global supply chain.
UWL is planning to double its transpacific service with the expansion of Swire.
The Sun Chief Express, between Southeast Asia and the United States, was launched last year by UWL with Swire Shipping and is still in the process of expansion.
“We want to go through Vietnam every week,” said UWL president Duncan Wright. Launched last April, the operation offers 25-day transit from Vietnam to Seattle, biweekly from Hai Phong via Ho Chi Minh City.
In addition to goods from Vietnam, the Eastbound route is also transported from India, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia by express feeder. The trip from Phnom Penh took 48 hours to Ho Chi Minh City, where Swire ships docked in the city, preventing slow-moving barges in the Mekong Delta.
Mr. Wright said that trade to the US was mainly in apparel, footwear and electronics, but the volume of furniture also increased. The Westbound route became the largest carrier of exported apples from the Pacific Northwest to Vietnam last year, he added.
As a result, UWL added an Alaska refrigerated cargo service, ensuring availability in four cities in southeastern Alaska: Ketchikan, Juneau, Petersburg, and Sitka. UWL even appointed a director of refrigeration services, Peter Vigil.
In December, World Group, the parent company of UWL, acquired Pacific Cascade, a Washington State-based light logistics provider with a portfolio that includes freight, warehousing, transshipment and order fulfillment. World Group CEO Fred Hunger said the move was part of a “strategic vision to utilize the Pacific Northwest as a “transport corridor” for its customers.
“Our goal is to provide all Midwest businesses with innovative, sustainable supply chain strategies to maintain their competitive edge in the marketplace,” said Mr. Shipping times from Asia to additional destinations, he claims, are four to six days faster than other services.
Valoma Communications Department.
Translated by Lê Minh Ngọc – Nguyễn Phương Anh – Phạm Phương Linh