Steady, appropriate steps
Watching the plume of smoke from the 60,000-ton wood chip carrier fade into the vast expanse of the sea, Deputy General Director of Quy Nhon Port, Dang Van Hoa, shared: "Every hour the ship's engines run, it produces tens of tons of emissions. Welcoming such a large ship to the port is a joy, but it also puts immense pressure on our goal of creating a green port."
Implementing the Green Port Project, Quy Nhon Port has pursued three strategic directions: sustainable green growth; increasing equipment efficiency and reducing emissions; and applying modern technology, aiming towards a digital and green port. Currently, Quy Nhon Port is investing in building a smart port management system, applying AI and IoT to predict and optimize operations, and monitor people, equipment, and the port environment. Initially, Quy Nhon Port has installed and used LED lighting for internal routes; solar power for forklifts; provided onshore power for equipment and ships docking; converted some cranes to electric instead of diesel; installed variable frequency drives, soft-start systems, and integrated smart operating systems; connected to electronic customs, and digitized cargo search, warehousing, and services.
In Hai Phong, in August 2024, Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company announced a green port project for the ports under its management. During the 2024-2030 period, Hai Phong Port will focus on completing planning, developing policies; transitioning to green energy vehicles; developing green transportation infrastructure; strengthening international cooperation, and applying science and technology. From 2030 onwards, Hai Phong Port will implement mandatory green port criteria in planning, investment, construction, and operation at its member units.
Preliminary statistics from the three ports of Chua Ve, Tan Vu, and Hoang Dieu ( Hai Phong ) show that approximately 2,000 ocean-going vessels calling at the ports each year generate nearly 5,500 tons of CO2. The tugboat fleet generates over 600 tons of CO2. This doesn't even include the nearly 300 pieces of equipment operating continuously 24/7 at the ports, which generate a large amount of dust, toxic fumes, and chemicals – estimated at over 7,000 tons per year. This highlights the need to "green" the operations of Hai Phong port, not only to reduce emissions and meet Net Zero requirements, but also to meet international maritime standards, enhance competitiveness, and improve the position of Hai Phong seaport.
Vietnam Maritime Corporation ( VIMC ) is one of the largest port management units in the country, with 89 berths totaling 16,500m in length. The handling capacity of VIMC's ports is approximately 80 million tons of bulk cargo and 6.5 million TEU containers. To achieve the goal of green ports according to the Project, in 2024, the Standing Committee of the VIMC Party Committee issued Resolution No. 1613-NQ/DU dated March 27, 2024, establishing a roadmap for energy transition.
In 2025, Vietnam Maritime Corporation signed an agreement with HDF Group (Republic of France) to implement the Hydro Battery program. Gradually realizing the goal of green ports, since 2024, the Corporation has deployed onshore power supply systems for ships docking at several ports; completed technical infrastructure; replaced fossil fuel-powered equipment and forklifts; implemented digital technology in coordinating cargo handling operations; and formed a green logistics chain domestically and internationally. Vietnam Maritime Corporation aims for all its seaports to achieve green port status according to Vietnamese standards by 2045.
Unlocking resources
Each year, Vietnam's port system welcomes over 100,000 ocean-going vessels from dozens of shipping companies worldwide, handling approximately 800 million tons of cargo, not to mention thousands of cruise ships. As early as 2020, the Minister of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction) issued Decision No. 2027/QD-BGTVT, dated October 29, 2020, approving the Project for the Development of Green Ports in Vietnam. This is considered the basis for implementing "greening" activities in the port system nationwide. The specific goals and roadmap for 2030 of the Project are: to identify green port criteria and organize the pilot implementation of a green port model suitable to Vietnam's conditions; and to strive for the mandatory application of green port criteria in Vietnam from 2030. Along with this, it aims to raise awareness of compliance with Vietnamese laws and international conventions on environmental protection. Enhancing the effectiveness of environmental management in port operations; promoting the participation of Vietnamese ports in regional and global eco-port associations…
Based on the Project, the Vietnam Maritime Administration (now the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration) issued the Project Implementation Plan and the Basic Standard TCCS 02:2022/CHHVN on green port criteria for units to use as a basis for implementation. The Administration organized a pilot green port model at Tan Cang Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and obtained positive results before expanding it to several other ports nationwide.
Director of the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration, Le Do Muoi, affirmed that the TCCS 02:2022/CHHVN Basic Standard is the basic technical criteria for evaluating and recognizing green seaports nationwide. This creates an important foundation for promoting the green transformation process in Vietnam's seaport sector. According to the plan, by 2026, this set of criteria will be reviewed, refined, and upgraded to a Vietnamese Standard, ensuring greater consistency, uniformity, and legal validity in its application.
Regarding the roadmap, the Department of Maritime and Inland Waterways is orienting its implementation through a voluntary, incentive-based mechanism, linked to pilot programs for ports. The Department identifies the development and application of green port and green ship criteria as a long-term process, closely linked to the green transition roadmap and greenhouse gas emission reduction in the transportation sector in general and the maritime and inland waterway sector in particular, ensuring a balance between economic development goals, enterprise capacity, and environmental protection requirements.
In recent times, the implementation and pilot program at several units has encountered some difficulties. Deputy General Director of Quy Nhon Port, Dang Van Hoa, shared that the biggest challenge in "greening" port operations is funding. Any seaport requires significant investment in specialized equipment. Currently, many ports are operating equipment that has not yet been fully depreciated and lack mechanisms for investing in new equipment. According to a representative from the Vietnam Maritime Corporation, solutions are needed to address several obstacles such as: emissions from large transport vehicles; installation and provision of onshore electricity for ships docking; financial mechanisms and preferential policies for green transition; a national database on emissions; and the completion of the legal framework for emission control…
Nhan Dan Newspaper
Source: https://vimc.co/xanh-hoa-he-thong-cang-bien/
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