Vinalines Container Shipping Company, a subsidiary of Vietnam Shipping Lines (Vinalines), on Friday launched its first-ever waterway lighterage service in the northern region, focusing on the Hai Phong-Viet Tri route.
The firm will operate 2-3 lighters per week from Hai Linh Port in Viet Tri City of Phu Tho Province to Hai Phong City.
Dinh Hai Bac, director of Vinalines Container, said the company would provide trucking service for customers in Viet Tri before the containers are transported to Hai Phong and then to the central and southern localities.
Bac said the service aims to diversify operations, expand markets and reduce container trucks operating in the Viet Tri area.
According to the Ministry of Transport, currently, domestic waterway transport is half the rate of road transportation. It is especially suitable for the transport of containers, easing the overload on road transportation.
In future, Vinalines Container will continue expanding its lighterage services in the Mekong Delta region, thus creating a service chain connecting economic zones, industrial parks and major commercial ports to improve productivity and reduce transport fees.
Earlier, a Vinalines port cooperated with the Hyundai Merchant Marine and ZIM International Shipping Line to connect major Asian ports to the Cai Lan international container port in the northern province of Quang Ninh, welcoming ships of up to 5,000 TEU to the port.
Source: Vinalines