At the event (Photo: baogiaothong.vn)Chaired by the Vietnam Marine Administration (VINAMARINE),the virtual event was participated by ten ASEAN member states, regional associationsof seaports and ship owners, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the bloc's dialogue partners – China, the US, Japan, the Europe, the Republicof Korea, and India.
VINAMARINE Deputy Director General Hoang Hong Giang, who is also chair of the event, said it has updated the status of implementing sustainabletransport goals and specific shipping goals. They included those related to theASEAN unified shipping market and smart and green port development under the KualaLumpur Transport Strategic Plan 2016-2025; and measures to minimise increasesin sea freight rates within the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework.
Giang added that the conference achieved some positiveresults regarding the ASEAN - India maritime cooperation agreement, with thegeneral consensus reached on a number of issues, particularly search and rescueand cooperation expansion.
According to Giang, the COVID-19 pandemic is aninvisible driving force for the bloc’s maritime community to be more active inlaunching initiatives for the promotion of maritime development.
Sharing experiences at the meeting, participating membercountries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar highlighted the needof a national coordination plan on shipping, increasing connection among portsin each country, and the application of digital technologies and customsclearance mechanisms in line with the national and regional requirements ofCOVID-19 prevention and control.
A notable proposal was the concept of the 'common risk' on theecological environment in maritime activities in order to provide risk mitigation solutions. With support, Vietnam expressed its wish that membernations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore continue to study the proposal forfurther discussion and agreement./.
VNA
