In a recent letter to the President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarding Associations (FIATA), Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that in recent years, FIATA has demonstrated its role as a leading international organization in logistics field, gathering 114 national logistics associations, with a scope of operations in 150 countries and territories, with about 40,000 related businesses around the world.
Vietnam highly appreciates the role of FIATA, demonstrated by the fact that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received FIATA Presidents to visit Vietnam for two consecutive years 2023-2024. Vietnam is also honored to be chosen by FIATA to host the FIATA Congress in October 2025.
In the letter, Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien said that Vietnam is a country with an export-oriented economy. In the first 6 months of 2024, the country's total import and export value reached 369.62 billion USD, an increase of 16% over the same period last year.
Of which, export value reached 190.73 billion USD, an increase of 14.9%; Import value reached 178.88 billion USD, an increase of 17.3%. The trade balance is estimated to have a trade surplus of 11.85 billion USD.
However, from the beginning of 2024 until now, increases in shipping rates, congestion at some Asian ports and lack of empty containers have had a serious impact, affecting the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods. on the international market.
With FIATA's role as an important bridge, contributing to promoting logistics cooperation and facilitating trade activities between countries, Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien hopes that FIATA President will support and take necessary measures. in fact, helping Vietnamese businesses overcome difficulties caused by rising shipping rates, port congestion and lack of empty containers mentioned above.
It proposes FIATA's solution to this global problem. At the same time, share experiences and solutions that countries and FIATA member associations have been applying, especially for handling fees other than fees collected at ports.
Within its scope of influence with other international organizations in the fields of import-export, logistics and supply chain management, emphasize Vietnam's position in the global value chain to have appropriate priorities in terms of approach. Facilities and equipment for transporting import and export goods for the Vietnamese market.
Support the Government of Vietnam in its strategy of positioning Vietnam as a goods production center and a new international transit location for Asia in the community of global logistics businesses.
Authorize Vietnamese organizations to participate in FIATA training and certification to contribute to quickly training professional human resources with high access to international markets.
In fact, in recent times, businesses have had their profits eroded because of "skyrocketing" sea freight rates.
Talking to Lao Dong, Mr. Tran Van Linh - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thuan Phuoc Seafood Company - said that the EU market accounts for about 25% of the export market share of Vietnamese enterprises and this is also the area where shipping rates increase. tallest.
Accordingly, shipping rates from Vietnam to Europe are around 4,000 - 5,000 USD/container, an increase of 2 - 3 times compared to the end of last year. On average, a container exported to the US costs about 6,000 - 7,000 USD, double the previous price.
Freight rates to areas such as China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia also increased, ranging from 1,000 - 2,000 USD/container.
"Increased sea freight rates along with difficulties in markets and orders have eroded the profits of businesses, especially seafood exporters like us.
In addition to increased shipping costs, shipping time also takes 7-10 days longer. This upsets our delivery and production plans as well as those of our partners" - Mr. Linh said.
