Logistics businesses need to 'green' according to the global trend

Logistics enterprises need to be aware of and renew their thinking about the ongoing "greening" trend in trade and economic activities. Meeting these standards will increase costs and logistics businesses are certainly not out of this "game"...

According to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), in 2022, although the COVID-19 epidemic has been controlled, the Vietnamese economy in general and the Vietnamese logistics industry in particular still face many challenges. such as: The tense political situation in many countries around the world; global broken food and energy supply chains; Inflation occurs in many countries…

However, Vietnam's economy still has many bright spots. Total import and export turnover up to now has nearly reached 700 billion USD. Economic growth is estimated at 8%, which is the highest growth rate in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022. New-generation free trade agreements come into effect and bring many practical benefits, especially EVFTA… That creates a driving force for the logistics industry to develop strongly.

"Vietnam's logistics service industry has overcome the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic to grow and develop sustainably, with a growth rate of 12-15% depending on the business line of the business," a VLA representative said. know.

Vietnam's logistics industry is growing with over 30,000 enterprises

Infrastructure development, creating opportunities for logistics

Information at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Vietnam Logistics Association, Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that Vietnam's logistics industry has many advantages for development.

For example, at present, many localities have developed plans and master plans on logistics development. Along with that, the trend of investment in the logistics industry is increasing rapidly, reflected in infrastructure projects such as highways, investment in Long Thanh airport, expansion of seaports, and construction of new logistics centers. and in this participation, there are not only domestic investors, capital of the State, but also capital of foreign-invested enterprises.

The logistics industry also recorded a strong growth in the past year when besides the increase of new enterprises, many Vietnamese enterprises have developed very well and have a fast growth rate. In addition, there are also new associations, including specific associations such as the Vietnam Logistics Human Resource Development Association. This also creates a common contribution of forces and helps the logistics industry achieve better results.

Need to prepare a plan to face difficulties

However, Mr. Tran Thanh Hai also said that 2023 will be a very difficult year. Because, at present, the world is in a state of recession and inflation, world consumer demand will decline, leading to a decrease in commercial activities, followed by logistics activities... Enterprises say In general, including logistics enterprises must be prepared to face.

Although now, sea container freight rates have decreased to pre-epidemic levels, even below pre-epidemic levels. However, the unstable factors in the business market are still revealing, besides the Ukraine war that has not shown any signs of ending, other factors such as natural disasters, epidemics or unexpected incidents such as container ships causing damage to the market. congestion of the Suez Canal... can also cause bottlenecks due to trade flows, logistics...

'Greening' the logistics industry

Another difficulty mentioned by Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, but also a requirement for businesses, is that enterprises must have awareness and innovation in the issue of the ongoing greening trend in commercial and operational activities. economic activities, that is, integrating environmental protection requirements in economic and commercial activities in logistics activities.

With such a requirement, higher standards for goods and business activities will be added, and at the same time, meeting these standards will increase costs and logistics businesses will not stand out. this game...