175 HỘI THẢO KHOA HỌC QUỐC GIA VỀ LOGISTICS VÀ QUẢN LÝ CHUỖI CUNG ỨNG VIỆT NAM LẦN THỨ 4 (CLSCM-2024) GREEN PORT DEVELOPMENT IN HAI PHONG PORT PHÁT TRIỂN CẢNG XANH TẠI CẢNG HẢI PHÒNG NGUYỄN THỊ YẾN, NGUYỄN KHÁNH HUYỀN Viện Kinh tế và Kinh doanh quốc tế, Trường Đại học Ngoại thương Email liên hệ:
[email protected] Abstract The paper examines the current situation of green port development in Hai Phong port - what measures are being implemented - how they are benefiting the port and how the port is still lagging behind. The ports included are managed by Hai Phong port Joint Stock Company. The criteria applied are drawn from Vietnam National Green Port Criteria, which will be compulsory in 2030, and international sets of standards from ASEAN, Europe and America. Based on such reviews and practical analysis drawn from the compilation of secondary data, this thesis will identify the possible barriers and challenges, and then provide actionable recommendations suitable for Hai Phong port’s future development plan. Keywords: Green port, green port development, Hai Phong port, green port criteria. Tóm tắt Bài viết xét đến tình trạng hiện tại của việc phát triển cảng xanh tại cụm cảng Hải Phòng, cụ thể là những cảng thuộc sự quản lý của Công ty Cổ phần Cảng Hải Phòng, qua các hoạt động và các biện pháp đang được áp dụng được công bố. Bộ tiêu chí đánh giá được tổng hợp từ Tiêu chí Cảng Xanh của Việt Nam và các tiêu chí quốc tế của ASEAN, khu vực châu Âu và Mỹ. Qua đó, tác giả phân tích và nhận thấy mức độ phát triển hiện tại còn chưa đáp ứng các tiêu chí, đồng thời xác định các rào cản. Từ việc tổng hợp dữ liệu thứ cấp và áp dụng phương pháp nghiên cứu định tính nêu trên, tác giả đưa ra một số các đề xuất phù hợp với tình hình và kế hoạch phát triển trong tương lai của cụm cảng. Từ khóa: Cảnh xanh, phát triển cảng xanh, cảng Hải Phòng, tiêu chí cảng xanh. 1. Introduction Sea transportation is an indispensable part in international trade activities, and ports are the crucial connection points, serving as the catalyst for economic development. Along with generating profound economic benefits, serious impacts on the environment are also brought about by seaports. Waste and resource consumption are the result of a variety of activities, such as constructing and expanding infrastructure and unloading and loading operations (Oniszczuk-Jastrząbek, Pawlowska and Czermański, 2018). The operations of ships and supporting equipment and other dredging or maintenance activities also contribute to environmental problems (Nguyen et al, 2022) (VIMC, 2023). The green port concept is broadly defined by Dinwoodie et al (2012) as “a product of a long-term strategy to develop sustainable and environmentally- friendly port infrastructure”. As green ports are part of sustainable development, balancing between economic benefits and environmental impacts is a must (Inal, 2023) (Le & Nguyen, 2023) (Bucak & Kuleyin, 2016), with the most profound factor being the “harmony between man and nature” (Ying & Yijun, 2011). On the national level, the Technical Regulation on Vietnam Green Port Criteria was published on 29th December, 2022 in Decision No. 1909/QĐ-CHHVN by Vietnam Maritime Administration. According to the roadmap set by the government, 2021 - 2022 is the period for drafting and publishing national criteria, while the next 3 years are for regulation adjustment and supplementation (Vietnam News, 2022). Further and more detailed technical regulations along with supporting policies would be established from 2025 - 2030 (Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 2021) after considering the results of voluntary application. In 2030, these criteria will be made compulsory. On the international level, some notable voluntary requirements are the GPAS Indicator System from APEC Port Services Network, which is largely similar to Vietnam's national criteria, and EcoPorts from Europe. A key environmental aspect acknowledged in international ports that has not been mentioned in the Vietnamese criteria is biodiversity (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority) (Port
176 HỘI THẢO KHOA HỌC QUỐC GIA VỀ LOGISTICS VÀ QUẢN LÝ CHUỖI CUNG ỨNG VIỆT NAM LẦN THỨ 4 (CLSCM-2024) of Newcastle, 2021) (ESPO’s Green Port Guide, 2021), or biological system preservation (Chen & Pak, 2017). Hence, this paper applies the criteria from the national and APEC standards for score evaluation, with an additional criterion of Biodiversity Preservation. The final score is calculated based on individual scores ranging from 1 to 5 of each category of the criteria, and only ports with an overall score of 3.5 or more are certified as green ports by the Vietnamese government. While extensive research is done on green ports globally, there is little literature focusing on the specific context of ports in Vietnam, particularly Hai Phong port, based on such criteria. Simultaneously, a lack of studies assessing the economic and environmental impacts of green measures in Vietnamese ports is clearly seen. Given such gaps, there are opportunities for further research to enhance understanding of green ports in Hai Phong, contributing to the broader knowledge base on sustainable development in the maritime industry. 2. Research methodology In terms of data collection, secondary sources have been utilized. These include a comprehensive review of academic journals and relevant publications along with an analysis of related reports and assessments. After reviewing such journals and government publications, I established a solid understanding of the concept of “green ports”, with clear definitions, key benefits and criteria. The data and statistics publicly available on Hai Phong port, including its cargo throughput, environmental performance and current policies are gathered. Subsequently, a comparative analysis is done between the port’s performance and the green port criteria as well as their suggested measures. In order to identify the key themes, patterns, strategies and challenges, thematic analysis is employed. I synthesized the findings from literature review and data analysis in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of Hai Phong port’s current status and limitations. Given such criteria and identified limitations, specific recommendations are provided for accelerating green port development. 3. Research result 3.1. Overview of Hai Phong port Hai Phong port is a port cluster located in the Northern Region of Vietnam, established in 1874 with a strategic position for international trade. It is located down the Red River Delta, in the center of the Gulf of Tonkin, about 120 km away from the capital city and approximately 200 km away from China. There are also several expressways connecting Hai Phong to other developing cities, facilitating Hai Phong port in becoming a major trading hub of the region. Multiple definitions of Hai Phong port are available, however, Table 1. The compilation of green port criteria Main criteria Sub-criteria Max points Commitment and Readiness (1.5 point) Awareness and Readiness (60%) 0.9 Green Port Promotion (40%) 0.6 Action and Implementation (2.5 point) Clean Energy (10%) 0.25 Saving Energy (20%) 0.5 Information Technology (IT) (25%) 0.625 Resource Usage (10%) 0.25 Environmental Protection (25%) 0.625 Green Management (10%) 0.25 Biodiversity Preservation (suggested) - Efficiency and Effectiveness (1 point) Saving Energy (40%) 0.4 Environmental Protection (60%) 0.6 Total 5 Source: compiled by the author
177 HỘI THẢO KHOA HỌC QUỐC GIA VỀ LOGISTICS VÀ QUẢN LÝ CHUỖI CUNG ỨNG VIỆT NAM LẦN THỨ 4 (CLSCM-2024) within this article, Hai Phong port consists of 3 main ports, according to the definition of Hai Phong port Joint Stock Company. 3.2. Green port development in Hai Phong port Commitment and Readiness The average score of awareness and readiness of 1.25 out of 5 is the result of the following individual scores: 2; 1; 1; 1. It is then converted to the final score of 0.225 by being divided by 5 and multiplied by 0.9. The category of education and training programs should receive 1 point. Education for the port staff and employees simply promotes collective responsibility in protecting the environment (Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company (b), 2024). Nevertheless, there are no training programs specifically designed for enhancing green port awareness. Hai Phong port only held a few and should receive 2 points for such efforts. So, the average score green port promotion of 1.33 out of 5 is the result of the following individual scores: 1; 2; 1. It is then converted to the final score of 0.16 by being divided by 5 and multiplied by 0.6. Action & Implementation (i) Clean Energy Hai Phong port should be given 1 point for the use of renewable energy. There are 6 substations in Chua Ve port, while Tan Vu port uses Dinh Vu station and Dinh Vu Port Investment and Development Joint Stock Co (Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company (a), 2024). The amount of electricity used at Chua Ve port is roughly 200,000kWh/month, while that at Tan Vu port is approximately 1,000,000kWh/month (Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company (a), 2024). Hai Phong port uses electricity provided by Vietnam Electricity. Even though renewable energy accounts for roughly 14% of electricity produced by this company, this does not count as the port’s effort in using renewable energy sources. Similarly, the use of clean fuels should be given 1 point as the port does not incorporate the use of LNG, Hydrogen or Ammonia into its daily activities, especially in terms of transportation or for providing ships with such fuels. Infrastructure for cold ironing is not available, resulting in a score of 1 point. At the same time, Table 2. Hai Phong port’s proposed scores for green port development Main criteria Sub-criteria Points Maximum points Commitment and Readiness Awareness and Readiness 0.225 0.9 Green Port Promotion 0.16 0.6 Action and Implementation Clean Energy 0.05 0.25 Saving Energy 0.225 0.5 Information Technology (IT) 0.575 0.625 Resource Usage 0.069 0.25 Environmental Protection 0.563 0.625 Green Management 0.09 0.25 Biodiversity Preservation - - Efficiency and Effectiveness Saving Energy 0.16 0.4 Environmental Protection 0.288 0.6 Total 2.405 5 Sources: compiled by the author
178 HỘI THẢO KHOA HỌC QUỐC GIA VỀ LOGISTICS VÀ QUẢN LÝ CHUỖI CUNG ỨNG VIỆT NAM LẦN THỨ 4 (CLSCM-2024) related efforts regarding energy usage for lower emissions are only equivalent to level 1. So the average score of clean energy of 1 out of 5 is the result of the following individual scores: 1; 1; 1; 1; 1, turned into the final score of 0.05. (ii) Saving Energy The first category for energy saving efforts should receive 4 points. For the optimization of the power supply system and the operational processes, Hai Phong port can receive 2 points for each category as the port does not disclose any further information, except for utilizing technology in minimizing wait- time that would be discussed in the next part. Such actions of these two categories can only be acknowledged as a few activities, equivalent to level 2 of the scale instead of level 1 (no activities), and level 3 (certain specific activities). There are no other related activities, meaning that the last category receives 1 point only. The average score of 2.25 out of 5 is the result of the following individual scores: 4; 2; 2; 1. It is then converted to the final score of 0.225 by being divided by 5 and multiplied by 0.5. (iii) Information Technology The average score of 4.6 out of 5 is the result of the following individual scores: 5; 5; 5; 4; 4. It is then converted to the final score of 0.575 by being divided by 5 and multiplied by 0.625. The port might receive 5 out of 5 for the three categories of online payments and electronic documentations, mobile apps and automated procedures. The port’s efforts have exceeded the examples and the descriptions of the assessment form, with clear signs of creative methods and new technologies. In addition, Hai Phong port should receive 4 points for the management system. They employ multiple online management systems to connect different departments, such as MIS (Management Information System), Cloud office, TOS (Terminal Operating System), PL - CEM (Customs Exchange Monitor) and so on that other ports have also been using (Port of Hai Phong, n.d.). This means Hai Phong port does use online means of connectivity for operational activities, which are similar to that of other ports. In terms of other activities, they can receive 4 points due to the following measures (iv) Resource Usage The average score of 1.375 out of 5 is the result of the following individual scores: 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 1; 4; 1. It is then converted to the final score of 0.069 by being divided by 5 and multiplied by 0.25. The six categories of environmentally-friendly materials, durable materials, recyclable materials, reusing and recycling, using materials that are locally available and avoiding single-use plastics should receive 1 point only. Concerning water usage, the measures match most of the listed examples of the assessment form, equivalent to level 4, which requires a system like the one Hai Phong port is implementing. There are no other measures, leaving the category Others with 1 point. (v) Environmental Protection The average score of 4.5 out of 5 is the result of the following individual scores: 5; 5; 5; 4. It is then converted to the final score of 0.563 by being divided by 5 and multiplied by 0.625. Hai Phong port has been complying to the laws and regulations regarding environmental protection. Apart from the implementation of ePort and Smart gate, which has reduced the waiting time, thereby lowering the amount of emissions and noise from vehicles, other measures have been taken by Hai Phong port for environmental protection. (vi) Green Management The average score of 1.8 out of 5 is the result of the following individual scores: 5; 1; 1. It is then converted to the final score of 0.09 by being divided by 5 and multiplied by 0.25. Hai Phong port might receive 5 points for the environmental management system. Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company is certified to conform with the requirements of TCVN ISO 14001:2015 concerning stevedoring, haulage, tally, delivery, receiving and storage of cargo valid until 2020. Hai Phong port aims to continue to adopt and maintain this system in the following years. However, the remaining 4 categories can only receive 1 point each. No other activities regarding this sub-criterion have been conducted, including the occupational health and safety system in accordance with ISO standards, green performance assessment and taking the efforts in protecting the environment into account when choosing suppliers. (vii) Biodiversity Preservation In accordance with Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 78 of Decree No. 21/2012/ND-CP dated March 21, 2012, beside garbage and wastewater, the discharge of ballast water must comply with regulations and instructions of the port authority. Both Chua Ve and Tan Vu ports will coordinate with relevant authorities to prohibit such discharge, as well as bilge water
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