MotiveAsia

Cần 'đánh thức' vận tải thủy nội địa để thúc đẩy logistics xanh

Need to awaken inland waterway transport to promote green logistics

VN Express | Local Language | News | Aug. 4, 2025 | UndeterminedSupply Chain Issues

Since May 2025, DP World has introduced a direct container shipping route from Cần Thơ to Cái Mép via a 200 km inland waterway, reducing transit time to 15 hours compared to longer road routes. During the Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition (VILOG 2025), experts emphasized multimodal transport combining waterways, railways, and roads as an effective means to reduce emissions and promote green logistics. Despite Vietnam’s nearly 42,000 km of inland waterways, only 41.2% are exploited, with inland waterway cargo transport holding just a 19% market share and mostly handling low-value goods.

Challenges include outdated infrastructure, slow investment in navigation channels, complex administrative procedures, and lack of integration among transport modes. Road transport still dominates, with 90% of goods to international seaports from the Mekong Delta arriving by road. Some regions like the Southeast see higher waterway usage, but ports face overcapacity issues. Experts advocate for raising awareness about road transport’s hidden costs and highlight that waterway transport can reduce expenses by at least 10%, with significant savings on container handling costs.

To promote inland waterway transport, improvements in port infrastructure, digital technology integration, and greater cooperation among stakeholders are critical. On July 19, 2025, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính issued Directive No. 113 to accelerate waterway transport development, calling for infrastructure planning updates, better management, and streamlined licensing. Looking forward, transitioning to environmentally friendly vessels is essential, with several green ship technologies—liquefied natural gas (LNG), electric, and hybrid vessels—being explored despite high investment costs and infrastructure challenges.

The current fleet's green transition is slow, with initiatives underway to replace old ships with modern vessels equipped with emission treatment systems and solar panels. Hybrid ships are seen as a practical option due to flexibility and reduced operating costs, even though their capital costs are high. Domestic shipbuilding relies heavily on imports, with local industry meeting only 10-15% of required materials and equipment, posing further challenges to green vessel adoption.

Menhub: Tim audit independen dibentuk evaluasi KA Argo Bromo Anggrek

Minister of Transportation: Independent audit team formed to evaluate Argo Bromo Anggrek train

Antara News | Local Language | News | Aug. 4, 2025 | UndeterminedOperating Results

The Ministry of Transportation of Indonesia has established an independent audit team to investigate the cause of the Argo Bromo Anggrek train derailment that occurred on August 1, 2025, near Pegaden Baru Station, Subang, West Java. Minister Dudy Purwagandhi emphasized that the evaluation will be comprehensive, focusing not only on technical recovery but also on preventive measures. The Ministry is committed to ensuring that train operations on the affected route resume safely, optimally, and reliably.

The evacuation and recovery efforts involved intensive coordination between the Directorate General of Railways and PT Kereta Api Indonesia, with teams working for more than 16 hours to prioritize passenger and personnel safety. The incident resulted in damage to approximately 4 kilometers of railway infrastructure, including both upstream and downstream tracks, block signal points, and turnout areas. As of the morning of August 2, the evacuation of the train rolling stock was successfully completed, and track recovery work promptly followed.

Track repairs included rail alignment, replacement of drive rods, detectors, and damaged rail pads. The affected track section has since reopened, allowing trains to pass with gradual speed restrictions for safety. The Ministry reiterated the importance of strengthening early detection systems and improving maintenance standards as part of a broader commitment to sustainable improvements in the national railway system and embedding safety as a core transport culture.

The Race for Long-Term Energy Storage Is Heating Up

Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com | English | News | Aug. 4, 2025 | UndeterminedEnergy Prices

No Body Summary