Improving Policies in the Maritime and Inland Waterway Sectors
Improve maritime and waterway transportation policy. The Ministry of Construction has proposed six key policy groups aimed at further improving mechanisms and policies in the maritime and inland waterway sectors, fulfilling Viet Nam’s international commitments, and thoroughly addressing overlapping and cross-cutting issues between the two fields.
On the afternoon of January 17, Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Thanh Tinh chaired a meeting of the Appraisal Council for the policy dossier on the development of the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterway Code, with the Ministry of Construction acting as the drafting authority.
Institutionalizing Guidelines and Improving the Legal Framework for Maritime and Inland Waterways
According to the policy submission, the development of the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterway Code aims to institutionalize the guidelines and policies of the Party and the State, and to further improve the legal framework governing maritime and inland waterway transport.
At the same time, the new code is expected to streamline the specialized legal system, facilitate legal reference and application, and comprehensively resolve overlapping regulations between maritime activities and inland waterway transport.
Proposed Six Key Policy Groups
The Ministry of Construction has proposed six major policy groups as the foundation for drafting the Code, including:
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Policy 1: General provisions on state management in the maritime and inland waterway sectors.
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Policy 2: Regulations on maritime and inland waterway infrastructure.
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Policy 3: Regulations on the management of seagoing vessels, inland waterway vessels, coastal vessels, and other types of floating craft.
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Policy 4: Regulations on human resources in the maritime and inland waterway sectors.
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Policy 5: Regulations on maritime transport activities, inland waterway transport, and transport support services.
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Policy 6: Regulations on safety, security, search and rescue, and emergency response in maritime and inland waterway operations.
Strengthening Safety, Security and Search and Rescue
Policies on safety, security and search and rescue are considered a key highlight of the proposed Code, aiming to establish a unified legal framework and address fragmentation and overlaps among existing legal documents.
This approach will provide a solid basis for inter-agency coordination among management authorities. Emergency response forces, and security bodies, thereby enhancing maritime safety, security, and inland waterway transport safety.
Feedback from Relevant Ministries and Agencies
At the appraisal meeting, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Expressed their support for the development of the Code. While recommending the inclusion of detailed regulations on autonomous vessels to align with emerging trends in international maritime transport. Improve maritime and waterway transportation policy.
Representatives of the Ministry of National Defence proposed more specific solutions. Including the development of dual-use seaports that serve both national defence requirements and economic development objectives. They also suggested introducing socialization mechanisms and clearer, dedicated financial policies for search and rescue operations.
Finalizing Policies to Promote Maritime Economic Development
Concluding the meeting, Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Thanh Tinh requested that the Ministry of Construction further refine the policy dossier in accordance with the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents.
According to the Deputy Minister, breakthrough policies are needed to foster the development of the maritime economy and inland waterway transport, such as policies to develop the national fleet, shipbuilding industry, attract investment, and strengthen international integration.
In addition, international experience should be incorporated. Along with a review of the implementation of the Vietnam Maritime Code 2015 and the Law on Inland Waterway Navigation 2004. In order to better substantiate the practical foundations of the proposed policies.
