SECTION THREE
Country-level Workshop on Freight Forwardingand Multimodal Transport
Do Chi Minh, Viet N am11-12 November 1999
I. Organization of the W orksho~
A. Introduction
The Country-level Workshop on Freight Forwarding and Multimodal Transport was heldin Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam from 11-12 November 1999. It was organized by the ESCAPsecretariat in cooperation with the Vietnam Maritime Bureau of the Government of Viet Nam.
B. Attendance
The Workshop was attended by 54 participants, including freight forwarders, ship agentsand officials from various state enterprises concerned with freight. forwarding activities andmultimodal
transport in Viet Nam. The response to the Workshop exceeded all expectations ofthe organizers and participants contributed financially to the cost of local organization of the
event. The list of participants is given in Annex VIII to the report.
c.
WorkshoQ OQening
In his welcoming address, Mr. Luong Xuan Tieu, Regional President (Ho Chi Minh) forVietnam National Maritime Bureau (Vinamarine) stated that deliberations at the ESCAP Seminaron Freight Forwarding and Multimodal Transport held in Bangkok from 14-15 October 1999demonstrated the need for countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region to cooperate and assisteach other in the development offreight forwarding and multimodal transport. He hoped that thisWorkshop will update the knowledge and experience of the participants. Finally, he expressedhis sincere thanks to ESCAP for holding the Workshop. A copy of his address is at Annex IX.
In his welcoming address, Mr. Ha Duc Bang, Director ofINLACO (Saigon), welcomedthe participants and expressed his sincere appreciation to the ESCAP secretariat for having
agreed to organize the workshop in Ho Chi Minh City. He also expressed gratitude to theGovernment of France for financing the workshop. He observed that the number of participantsat the Workshop was much greater than the number of participants at the previous workshop onfreight forwarding held in Viet Nam and, he hoped that this Workshop will become a springboardfor the integration of Viet Nam into the global economy and more specifically to the Greater
Mekong Sub-region.
The ESCAP representative stated that the opening up of economies has brought newopportunities to the countries in the GMS region to expand trade. Over the last decade, Viet N am
51
has worked hard to optimize these opportunities and open up to investment, technology,liberalization of trade and new thinking.
Freight forwarders can assist exporters to access new markets by identifying the mostappropriate routes that combine carriage by road/rail/air and sea. They can assist exporters andimporters to reduce transport and documentation costs as well as inventory costs by applying the')ust-in-time" concept to the transport of goods.
While the development of transport infrastructure such as ports, airports, roads and railis essential for transport efficiency, so too is the regulatory and procedural environment withinwhich the physical activity takes place. The W orkshop wo~ld give participants the opportunityto examine the documentary procedures in place in Viet Nam and learn the developments thathave taken in other. countries.
The representative from ESCAP also congratulated the Vietnamese Authorities formaking all the necessary arrangements to facilitate the Workshop and thanked the Governmentof France for funding the project on the development of freight forwarding and multimodaltransport in the Mekong Sub-region. The text of the statement from the representative ofESCAPis attached as Annex X.
D. Workshonnrogramme
Thursdav. 11 November 1999
A.M.
Registration
Opening remarks by representative from VIFF ASOpening speech by representative from INLACO SAIGONOpening statement by representative from ESCAP
Overview
To set out the background and the objectives of the workshop
Share the findings and deliberations of the Sub-regional Seminar onFreight Forwarding and Multimodal Transport held in Bangkok ffom14-15 October 1999.
Session I: Links between international trade and international transport
IntroductionCurrent status and future prospects for external trade in the countryDocumentary credits and INCOTERMSUCP 500Activity/exercise
52
Session II: Multimodal Transport Corridors in the GMS
Routing alternativesActivity/exercise
Session III: Carriage of goods overland
Asian Highway and Trans Asian Railway mapsLand Transport (Status of CMR/TI~-COXIF)
Thursdav. 4 November 1999
A.M.
Session IV: Carriage of goods by air
Air freight (video -10 minutes)International developments in airfreightCurrent situation in the countrySea-air: An analysis
Session V: Commercial aspects of freight forwarding and multimodal transport
Video FIATA on freight forwarding (14 minutes)Economic and commercial advantages of freight forwardingThe changing role of the freight forwarder:.Stage one: traditional role as adviser to shipper.State two: intermediate role, cargo consolidator.Stage three: current role as multimodal transport operator.Stage four: logistics service providerIntroduction to FIAT A model rulesCargo consolidation: NVOCCINAOCC (Prospects forconsolidation in the country)
cargo
P.M.
Session VI: Liability regimes
Carriage of goods by sea (Hague and Hague- Visby rules, Hamburg rules)Freight forwarder organizing the total transport: a suitable liability regimeUNCTAD/ICC Rules, FIATA B/L
Activity/exercise
53
Session VII: Insurance requirements
Insurance requirements for the shippers, sea carrier, air carrier, landtransport and freight forwarderASEAN framework on Multimodal Transport
Session VIII: National Freight Forwarder Association -Establishment/further developments
Conclusions and Recommendations
54
II. ProceedinQs of the Workshop
The two-day Workshop was a follow-up to the Sub-regional Seminar on FreightForwarding and Multimodal Transport held in Bangkok, Thailand from 14-15 October 1999.
At the Sub-regional Seminar, the Vietnamese delegation identified a number of constraints to thedevelopment of freight forwarding and multimodal transport in Viet N am. One of the main issuesthat were highlighted related to the shortage of skills and expertise in the field of freight
forwarding and multi modal transport.
The objective of the workshop was thus aimed at enhancing the knowledge of a coregroup of senior Government officials and industry personnel on subjects related to road, rail, seaand air freight forwarding. It is important to note that the response exceeded all expectations andattendees were required to contribute financially for their participation. The sessions that werecovered in the Country-level Workshop reflected issues that are of interest to Viet Nam.
The opening session was attended by members of the national press and the Workshopreceived good media coverage through newspaper articles and television.
The following topics were covered in the Country-level Workshop:
1.2.3.4.5.
6.7.8.
Links between international trade and international transportMultimodal transport corridors in the GMSCarriage of Goods OverlandCarriage of Goods by AirCommercial aspects of freight forwarding arid multimodal transportMaritime liability regimes and UNCT AD/ICC Rules for Multimodal Transport
Insurance requirementsFurther progress of National Freight Forwarders' Association
At the end of the workshop, participants developed a set of the recommendations forconsideration of the Governments. These are contained in the concluding section below.
III. Conclusions
The participants urged the Government to consider the following measures in order tofurther develop freight forwarding and multimodal transport in Viet Nam:
To improve legislation related to national and international transport, freightforwarding and multimodal transport. Regulation may be needed for the control
of the freight forwarding industry.
(a)
To adhere to international conventions and rules relating to international trade.(b)
To improve infrastructure investment of rails, roads, inland waterways and ICD.(c)
To improve the coordination and cooperation between all Vietnamesegovernmental agencies related to international trade and transport.
(d)
55
(e) Emphasis should be given to human resource development through seminars,courses for staff in the industry and also to government. officials (i.e. Customs,Ministry of Transport, etc.).
(f) There should be more exchange of experiences, information and technologybetween countries of the region.
IV. Workshol2 Evaluation
A summary of the Workshop Evaluation Forms completed by the participants is atAnnex XI.
56
ANNEX VIII
Country-level Workshop on Freight Forwardingand Multimodal Transport
Do Chi Minh, 11-12 November 1999
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
LIST OF P ARTICIP ANTS
Mr.
Ta Van Thang, Expert, Technical Department, VITRANSCHART, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Tran Toan Thang, Expert, Maritime Services and Agency Department, VITRANSCHART,Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Bui Quoc Hung, Forwarding Department, Orient Marine Co., Ltd., Ho Chi Minh
Mr. To Nguyen Hong Quan, Director (Ho Chi Minh Branch), Northern Container ShippingCompany, Ho Chi Minh ...
Mr.
Tong Ngoc Su, Expert, Shipping Agency Department, INLACO, Haiphong
Mr.
Ngo Thanh Minh, Staff, Falcon Shipping Company, Ho Chi Minh
Ms.
Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Staff, Falcon Shipping Company, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Vu Hai Ha, Expert, Forwarding Department, SAIGON Shipping Company, Ho Chi Minh
Ms.
Le Thi Phuong Anh, Expert, Forwarding Department, SAIGON Shipping Company, Ho Chi
Minh
Mr.
Mai Ba Phue, Vosa Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Lam Hong Phong, Vosa Can Tho, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Phan Quy Ninh, Project Manager, Maritime Service Company, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Truong Anh Tuan, Staff, Dragon Logistics Co., Ltd., Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Tran Bui Dinh Dung, Staff, Dragon Logistics Co., Ltd., Ho Chi Minh
Mr;;
Dong Duc Thang, Expert, Viet Nam Container Technical Joint-venture Company, Ho ChiMinh
Mr.
Le Anh Thi, Expert, Viet Nam Container Technical Joint-venture Company, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Dao Ngoc Hai, Staff, Khanh Hoi Constructing Company, Saigon Port, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Nguyen Trung Truc, Staff, Nha Rong Constructing Company, Saigon Port, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Hua Dung, Staff, Tan Thuan Constructing Company, Saigon Port, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Le Duy Thanh, Staff, Trading -General Services Company, Saigon Port, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Le Duy Tien, Expert, DSR Agency, Southern Container Joint Stock Company, Ho Chi Minh
59
Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Export, Uniglory Agency, Southern Container Joint Stock Company, HoChi Minh
Ms. Nguyen Thu Giang, Expert, Uniglory Agency, Southern Container Joint Stock Company,Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Nguyen Tuan Vu, Expert, Uniglory Agency, Southern Container Joint Stock Company, HoChi Minh
Ms. Truong Thi To Quyen, Expert, Evergreen Agency, Southern Container Joint StockCompany, Ho Chi Minh .-
Mr.
v 0 Truong Thinh, Expert, DSR Agency, Southern Container J oint St~ck Company, Ho ChiMinh
Mr. Luong Van Linh, Deputy Director, INLACO SAIGON, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Le Van Tuan, Deputy Manager, Marketing, INLACO SAIGON, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Nguyen Viet Chuong, Deputy Manager, Marketing, INLACO SAIGON, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Do Tan Cang, Deputy Manager, Marketing, WHO Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Tran Quang Son, Director ofMCMC Branch, Dongnai Container Joint Stock Company, HoChi Minh
Mr.
Do Ngoc huong, Expert Forwarding, Dongnai Container Joint Stock Company, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Tran Binh Phu, Forwarding, Vietfracht, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Nguyen Lac, AElNOT-Hanoi Office, Vietfracht, Hanoi
Mr.
Phan Manh Phu, Forwarding, HCMC Branch, Vietfracht, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Anh Mac Con, Danag Office, Vietfracht, Danang
Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung, APL Agency Enterprise, Vietfracht, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Le Huy, Deputy Manager, NYK Agency, Saigon Maritime Trading Service and TallyCompany, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Le Thanh Hoa, HCMC Developing, Ho Chi Minh
Ms. Nguyen Thuy Hoa, Expert, VIFF AS, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Nguyen Cong Hieu, Expert, VIFFAS, Ho Chi Minh
60
Mr.
Doan Anh Quan, Deputy Manager, Aviation-Agency, SAFI, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Tran Ba Dung, Sales Executive, Hecay Transportation Ltd. HCMC, Ho Chi Minh
Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Anh, Anh Cao Company, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Vu Tien Hung, Phili-Orient Lines VN, Ho Chi Minh
OBSERVERS
.-Mr. Tran Ngoc Boi, Manager, Tanker, INLACO SAIGON, Ho Chi Minh
Ms.
Nguyen Minh Huong, Deputy Manager, Chartering, INLACO SAIGON, Ho Chi Minh
Ms.
Ha Thi Minh Ngoc, Expert, Chartering, INLACO SAIGON, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Nguyen Anh Son, Expert, Vungtau Branch, INLACO SAIGON, Vungtau
Mr.
Pham Hong Quang, Deputy Manager, Chartering, INLACO SAIGON, Ho Chi Minh
Mr. Tran Xuan Thien, Director, Trading Department, Hoang Ha Commercial Company Ltd., HoChi Minh
Mr. Nguyen Quang Thanh, Director, Marketing and Deyeloping Department, Hoang HaCommercial Company Ltd., Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Do Thanh Sen, Faculty, VIMARU, Ho Chi Minh
Mr.
Tran Anh Dung, Faculty, VIMARU, Ho Chi Minh
LECTURERS
Ms. G. Karandawala, Economic Affairs Officer, Water Transport Section, Transport,Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development Division, ESCAP, Bangkok,Thailand
Mr.
P .v .Bezy, Expert on Multimodal Transport, Water Transport Section, Transport,Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development Division, United Nations, ESCAP,Bangkok,
Thailand
Mr.
Ruth Banomyong, Consultant on Multimodal Transport, Water Transport Section, Transport,Communications, Tourism and Infrastructure Development Division, United Naitons, ESCAP,Bangkok, Thailand
61
ANNEX IX
Country-level Workshop on Freight Forwardingand Multimodal Transport
Ho
Chi Minh, 11-12 November 1999
WELCOME ADDRESS
WELCOME ADDRESS BYMR. LUONG XUAN TIEUDIRECTOR,
VIET NAM NATIONAL MARITIME BUREAU (VINAMARINE)HO CHI MINH BRANCH
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
According to Vietnam Maritime Bureau's suggestion, the Economic and SocialCommission for Asia and the Pacific assists in the organization of this Country-level Workshopon Freight Forwarding and Multimodal Transport which is scheduled for 11-12 November 1999in Ho Chi Minh. -.
As you know, from 14-15 October 1999, ESCAP held a Sub-regional S~minar on thissubject in Bangkok, Thailand to appreciate the developing of freight forwarding and multimodaltransport so that on that basis, the countries in the region will have cooperation and assistancewith each other and find out the effective solutions to promote freight forwarding and multimodaltransport's
activities in the region.
With the assistance ofESCAP faculty members, today, we gather here at this Country-level Workshop to listen, discuss the achievements and the difficulties which need to beovercome in the process of developing freight forwarding and multimodal transport in Viet Nam.
This training workshop will update your knowledge of useful information and valuableexperiences of many countries in the world that Viet Nam can benefit from freight forwardingand
multimodal transport activities. I hope that you will actively contribute to the workshop byexchanging our experience and trade secret of success in order that we can give our hand and ourmind to the developing of Viet Nam shipping industry in the open-policy age to integrate intothe region and the world.
On behalf of the Vietnam Maritime Bureau, I would like to show my sincere thanks tothe Economic and Social Commission for Asia and,the Pacific, representatives from concernedparties
and companies who have been spending time for this Workshop. I 'hope that theparticipants will attend all the workshop's class-based training so that the Workshop can be
gloriously successful.
May you all have good health and may the Workshop be successful as ever.
Thank you.
65
ANNEX X
Country-level Workshop on Freight Forwardingand Multimodal Transport
Ho
Chi Minh, 11-12 November 1999
STATEMENT BY ESCAP REPRESENTATIVE
STATEMENT BY
ESCAPREPRESENTATIVE
Mr.
Ha Duc Bang, Director ofINLACO, Mr. Luong Xuan Tieu, Director, VINAMARINE,
On behalf of UNESCAP, my colleague and I would like to welcome you all at thisworkshQp on freight forwarding and multimodal transport. ...
The opening up 9f economies has brought new opportunities to the countri~s in the OMSregion to expand trade~ Over the last decade, Viet Nam has worked hard to optimize theseopportunities
and open bp to investment, technology, liberalization of trade and new thinking.Trade activities significantly contribute to economic development and an efficiently managed
transport system is a prerequisite for the competitiveness of trade. A deep and close cooperationamongst all stakeholders in the transport chain should be promoted to enhance efficiency in
serving existing and new markets.
Freight forwarders can assist exporters to access new markets by identifying the mostappropriate routes and provide a service that combines carriage by road/rail, air and sea.
The ESCAP secretariat has examined the constraints that inhibit the progress of thefreight forwarding industry in the GMS region. Much work has to be done in furtherdevelopment of infrastructure, professional and technical skills, institutional arrangements andthe legal framework. The traditional pattern of the foreign trade of most countries in the ESCAPregion where exports are traded on f.o.b. terms and imports on c.i.f. terms -also acts againstnational freight forwarders who are unable to organize the transport arrangement and can only
act as an agent to overseas forwarders.
There has been considerable improvement in the freight forwarding industry in Viet N amsince the last visit of ESCAP. The Vietnam Association of Freight Forwarder (VIFFAS) hasstrengthened its position and joined FIAT A. The road network has been improved and inlandcontainer depots have been established in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. These are tangible signs of
progress and augers well for the industry.
The freight forwarding industry plays a vital role in promoting international trade. Theservices of qualified and credible freight forwarders can effectively assist shippers andconsignees
to reduce transport and documentation costs as well as inventory due to their abilityto select and contract appropriate transport arrangements for each consignment and employ "just-
in-time" in their business logistics.
The key role of the freight forwarder as partner of the shippers and of the shipping lines/airlines is to assist in linking production and consumption through distribution of goods and
servIces.
69Distinguished
participants,Ladies and gentlemen,
The freight forwarders follow a freight policy, rather than a policy of cooperation withone particular carrier as the freight forwarder is neutral and flexible. Freight forwarders couldthus become the main catalyst for the free flow of trade. The freight forwarding industry andmultimodal transport can facilitate intra regional trade.
While the development of transport infrastructure such as ports, airports, roads and railis essential for transport efficiency, so too is the regulatory and procedural environment withinwhich all the physical activity takes place. During the course of this Workshop we can examinethe documentary procedure in place and share with you some of the experiences of othercountries.
.-The Vietnamese Authorities are to be congratulated in making all necessary arrangements
to facilitate the Workshop. Our appreciation also goes to the Govemment of France. Weappreciate the role played by the Government of France in funding the project and we hope it willcontinue to provide financial support in the area of freight forwarding which is a very importantcomponent ofESCAP secretariat's activities.
We look forward to a fruitful exchange of infoimation and hope the workshop will be arewarding experience for all of us.
70
ANNEX XI
Country-level Workshop on Freight Forwardingand Multimodal Transport
Ho
Chi Minh, 11-12 November 1999
WORKSHOP EVALUATION
Workshon Evaluation
An evaluation questionnaire was distributed on the last day of the Workshop forcompletion, prior to the closing session. Participants were invited to give their views andcomments on the Workshop, in terms of issues affecting workshop content and presentation. Theresult of this evaluation exercise are as follows:
I.
Participant profile
65%35%
Public sectorPrivate sector
II. Workshop structure and content
Workshop duration
1.
58%42%
Too shortAppropriateToo long
Level Qf particivation/interaction
2.
7%86%7%
HighSatisfactoryLow
3.
What is your o_vinion of the workshov structure
39.5%44%14%1%
Well structuredAppropriateRoom for improvementWithout opinion
What is round material or the Worksho' ect to its
coverage and depth?
4.
~Coverage
9.5%53.5%27.5%25%
7%
21%
65%14%
Very goodGoodAdequate
PoorVery poorWithout opinion
73
III.
Relevance
and applicability
Do
you~find the Workshop relevant to your current work?
1.
18.5%81.5%
To a great extentTo a reasonable extentTo a small extent
Do you_feel that you have gained_from the Workshop?
2.
9.5%86%4.5%
To a great extentTo a reasonable extentTo a small extent
~3.
21%74.5%4.5%
To a great extentTo a reasonable extentTo a small extent
IJ-: Workshop conduct
1.
Didvoufind the method Qfinstruction used in the Workshop to be:
~Coverage
25.5%63%11.5%
21%46.5%23%9.5%
Very goodGoodAdequateWithout opinion
2.
How would you assess the general standard Qf the lecturers?
Mr.
Banomyong R.
Very goodGoodSatisf~ctory
32.5%53.5%14%
Mr. Bezy P.Y.
Very goodGoodSatisfactory
35%60.4%4.5%
74
Ms. Karandawala G.
Very goodGoodSatisfactory
72%25.5%2.5%
v.
Workshop Administration
1.
Physical arrangements
Very goodAcceptableUnsatisfactory
53.5%44%
2.5%
75