HCMC – The Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterway Administration (VIMAWA) has proposed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs work with Iran to coordinate measures ensuring maritime safety and to support Vietnamese vessels and seafarers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the administration, there are currently 19 vessels owned by Vietnamese companies operating in the Middle East that need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with four of them flying the Vietnamese flag and the remaining 15 flying foreign flags.
Some of them continue normal operations, while the others have had to anchor and wait for favorable conditions before transiting the area.
Based on proposals from shipowners, the VIMAWA has asked the Ministry of Construction to report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and engage with Iran to seek support for the safe passage of Vietnamese vessels and seafarers, in order of priority.
The highest-priority group includes Vietnamese-flagged vessels owned by Vietnamese firms transporting cargo between Vietnam and the Middle East. The second group comprises foreign-flagged vessels owned by Vietnamese enterprises with Vietnamese crew members. The third group consists of foreign-flagged vessels owned by Vietnamese enterprises with foreign crew, transporting cargo outside Vietnam’s territory.
The VIMAWA also proposed facilitating Vietnamese vessels transporting crude oil and petroleum products from the Middle East to Vietnam, contributing to stable energy supply. It further recommended that relevant authorities urge Iran to promptly issue an official notice allowing Vietnamese vessels and seafarers to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Such a notice would provide a basis for shipping companies to obtain risk insurance, as many insurers currently limit coverage in the absence of official confirmation on navigation conditions.
The administration also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to direct Vietnamese representative missions in the Middle East to proactively monitor the situation, promptly provide information, and support vessels and seafarers in case of emergencies.
Amid complex developments in the region and rising fuel costs, Vietnam’s shipping fleet is facing mounting pressure, particularly on routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Many vessels have had to adjust their routes, increasing operating costs and risks, and affecting supply chains as well as import-export activities.
