According to the Vietnam Maritime Administration, it is estimated that around 500,000-600,000 tonnes of cargo among Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh would be transferred per month by 600 vessels weighing 1,000 tonnes each, which is equivalent to 20,000 road transport vehicles of 30 tonnes each.

For distance from Quang Ninh to Quang Binh, sea transportation would take three times longer than the road transportation did but freight charges by sea were just one- fifth or one-sixth of the charges by road.

The new coastal shipping route is expected to meet the needs of large-volume freight transport, especially super-heavy and super-long goods, from the north to the central region, where large industrial parks are located.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Transport stressed that putting into operation of the new coastal shipping route is a key solution to reduce the dominance of road transportation, ensure traffic safety, protect transportation infrastructure and improve the quality of freight services.

In the forthcoming time, the Ministry of Transport asks relevant agencies and units to have a close collaboration to complete the assigned tasks, create favorable conditions for transport businesses and people to improve the quality of freight services, decrease transportation cost and contribute to developing marine economy at localities.

At the launching ceremony, the Ministry of Transport issued licences to two ships, namely Hoang Hai 26 and Thai Ha 28, which is allowed to run from Chua Ve Port (Hai Phong) to Nghi Son Port (Thanh Hoa) on the route’s inaugural voyage.

Reported by Minh Huyen
(www.quangbinh.gov.vn)