Expert / Legal insights

We are pleased to introduce the latest E-Publication from Dzungsrt & Associates, highlighting key developments under Vietnam’s Draft Maritime and Inland Waterways Code.

The Draft Code proposes the consolidation of the 2015 Vietnam Maritime Code and the 2004 Law on Inland Waterway Navigation, representing a significant step toward establishing a unified legal framework for maritime and inland waterway activities in Vietnam. The proposed reforms are expected to have a substantial impact on the shipping, logistics, transportation, and port sectors.

In this Newsletter, we examine several important developments, including:

• Seagoing vessels, inland waterway vessels, vessel registration, and survey regimes;

• Transport activities and logistics services, electronic transport documents, and multimodal transport in the context of digital transformation;

• Regulations governing maritime infrastructure, inland waterway infrastructure, ports, and dry ports in Vietnam;

• Policies promoting emissions reduction, alternative fuels, sustainable shipping, and the development of a green port ecosystem;

• Key changes relating to limitation periods, ship arrest procedures, oil spill response, maritime claims, and the development of Vietnam’s shipbuilding industry.

Beyond technical legal reforms, the Draft Code reflects broader trends shaping the future of Vietnam’s maritime and logistics sectors, including digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, green shipping, and the implementation of international environmental commitments.

We hope this publication provides valuable insights into the proposed legal framework and the developments that will shape the future of the maritime, shipping, logistics, and inland waterway sectors in Vietnam.

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Prepared by
Vu Phuong Trang, Partner
Corporate & Ship Finance Practice
Email: trang.vu@dzungsrt.com

With contributions from
Hoang Thanh Tram, Associate
Dzungsrt & Associates