Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Thevolume of cargo handled at Vietnam’s seaports reached nearly 160 million tonnesin the first quarter, up 8.4 percent over the same period last year, according tothe Vietnam Maritime Administration.
Containergoods were estimated at over 5 million TEUs, a year-on-year rise of 14 percent.
The total number of vesselscarrying passengers, however, was down 10 percent to 16,473.
More than 1.6 million passengersvisited Vietnam through seaports from January to March, a year-on-year decline of36 percent.
The administration said freight volumes atseaports were not overly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and remain on an upwardtrend despite growth being slower than the average in previous years.
Nevertheless, the number of cruise shipsand passengers fell significantly, especially from abroad.
To resolve difficulties facing businesses,the administration said it has simplified administrative procedures and providedessential equipment to ensure loading and unloading at ports proceed as normal.
It also proposed the State Bank of Vietnamdirect credit institutions to adopt support measures such as cutting interest ratesfor businesses and delaying debt repayments.
The Ministry of Finance, meanwhile, suggestedfee reductions and exemptions for seaport enterprises affected by COVID-19./.
VNA
