Eliminate port infrastructure fees - promote fair competition

VTV.vn - Associations have proposed to eliminate or adjust port infrastructure fees in Ho Chi Minh City to ensure fairness and maintain the flow of goods to the city.

According to the Vietnam Association of Maritime Agents, Brokers and Services (VISABA), Ho Chi Minh City has collected over 7,500 billion VND annually in port infrastructure fees (equivalent to over 6 billion VND per day) since its implementation. The fact that only Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong collect this fee – while areas formerly belonging to Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau do not – is creating a significant cost disparity and negatively impacting the competitive environment. This is especially concerning now that Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau have merged. Therefore, associations propose abolishing or adjusting port infrastructure fees in Ho Chi Minh City to ensure fairness and retain cargo flows to the city.

The company specializes in providing logistics services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the import-export sector, while also fulfilling domestic and export orders for FDI companies. However, since Ho Chi Minh City implemented a port infrastructure fee of VND 250,000 for 20-foot containers and VND 500,000 for 40-foot containers, along with other costs such as wharf fees, delivery order fees, and bills of lading fees, total logistics costs have increased sharply. This has created significant pressure, causing some FDI companies to shift their orders to other markets to reduce costs.

Ms. Dang Thi Bich Loan, Director of Mekong Logistics Co., Ltd., stated: "Infrastructure fees are leading to increased costs for shippers, causing a shift to overseas markets, mostly by FDI businesses. The proportion of goods in the logistics sector has decreased by 30% to 50% during the current economic recovery period."

According to experts, Ho Chi Minh City should consider abolishing port infrastructure fees. Continuing to collect fees will increase logistics costs, reduce the competitiveness of the port cluster, and even risk shifting goods to other transshipment centers in the region.

Mr. Nhu Dinh Thien, Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Association of Maritime Agents, Brokers and Services, stated: "We propose that if the city abolishes port infrastructure fees, or if fees are collected, exclude those who do not use road infrastructure, such as goods transported by waterway. This would create favorable conditions for import and export businesses, save unreasonable costs, and contribute to the city's budget, as the city collects a large amount of import and export taxes."

Adjusting the policy on port infrastructure fees is necessary in the context of Ho Chi Minh City aiming to become a modern logistics center. Consideration should be given to waiving or temporarily suspending fees for goods that do not utilize road infrastructure to reduce costs for businesses, restore cargo throughput at ports, and increase competitiveness and attract investment to the city.

Source: https://vtv.vn/bo-thu-phi-ha-tang-cang-bien-thuc-day-canh-tranh-cong-bang-100251027104110218.htm