- Vietnam, Russia plan joint maritime transport route venture.
- Focus on shipbuilding, Northern Sea Route, logistics collaboration.
- Proposals include MoUs, training, and INSTC market access.
Vietnam and Russia are discussing a joint project to develop a maritime transport route to enhance coherence in shipbuilding, logistics, and maritime infrastructure. The idea was put on the table during a meeting in Hanoi between Vietnam’s Construction Minister Tran Hong Minh and Nikolai Patrushev, Aide to the President of Russia and Chairman of the Maritime Board.
Patrushev, who expressed a positive opinion of Russia’s strategic partnership with Vietnam in this regard, emphasized Russia’s experience in shipbuilding—primarily for fishing and passenger ships—and noted Vietnam’s key position in shipbuilding in Asia and the Pacific. He issued an invitation for Vietnamese companies to join the Northern Sea Route, the Arctic road that will significantly reduce transport time and fuel costs, and collaboration that would involve building and modernizing shipyards and research centers.
During the meeting, the Russian Deputy Minister A. Karimov had the suggestion to enhance relations into new fields such as robotics, biotechnology, and pipeline manufacturing and also listed the invitation to Vietnam to the major event NEVA Exhibition, a large-type event related to shipbuilding.
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In addition, some executives from FESCO and Delo expressed their interest in planned shipbuilding and joint projects in logistics, not forgetting to recommend strengthening the legal basis for cooperation more effectively. Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The welcomed the proposals and emphasized the role of transportation in adding value to goods, trade, and tourism. He also encouraged the conclusion of the revised 1993 Maritime Trade Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Russian Maritime and the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction.
Minister Khai proposed that Russian companies invest in Vietnam's shipbuilding parks and seaports under the auspices of the WTO and nominated FESCO and the Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) to discuss the possibility of a joint attempt on the maritime route and exchange data to facilitate the curtailing of procedures. He also requested Russian support for maritime training programs and scholarships while endorsing Vietnam's possible role in the International North-South Transport Corridor to reach new markets.