60 years of VOSA: A long journey through the century

(Vietnam Logistics Review) This March is a meaningful month of Vietnam Ocean Shipping Agency (VOSA) when it marks 60 years of foundation and continuously development of this corporation. Mentioned in the Decree no.50-ND signed by Ministry of Transportation and Communication, the Vietnam Ocean Shipping Agency had firstly been established on 13th Mar 1957, being one of the first maritime companies in Vietnam at that time, and until now the VOSA ship has been going through the long journey of 60 years to the big ocean and get many important achievements.

Discussed with us, Mr Pham Manh Cuong – President of VOSA proudly said: At this moment, I want to express our deeply thanks to VOSA’s leaders and labors, who have been working for us at different periods. Due to their enthusiasm and efforts at different development stages, the VOSA ship has been built as big as in today. From having only 08 staff, owning one head office in Hai Phong and a branch in Hon Gai – Cam Pha and only operating ship operating and chartering services in the beginning, up to now, VOSA already has nearly 700 staff members with 14 branches in over the country, one more company member and three companies mutually established with Japan and China. Furthermore, currently VOSA also undergo all maritime transport services, entrusted import-exported services, full-package logistics services with the high added value chain.

Anniversary of 20 years cooperating between VOSA and NYK Line

Historic overview….

60 years ago, VOSA established under the circumstance that Vietnam just past the period of 9 year defeating French enemies with the glorious victory which had shock the world of Dien Bien Phu campaign. The North had been completely free, starting the period of reconstruction and economic recovery after the war. Under this condition, our government made a historic decision to establish a company operating shipping agency.

In the year 60s of the previous century foreign currency income of our country had almost been nothing, the export value of foreign trade had still been at the first phase of embryo, then VOSA was a entrepreneur who has significant contribution to the foreign currency input of the Government. From this period, VOSA had been one of the most biggest customer of Vietnam Commerce Bank.

Labor medal class III ceremony in 2014

And to create favorable conditions for VOSA to complete “three staff” task (Enterprises, guardian and communicator) and promote the role of this company, on 25th July 1963, Government Council headed by Prime Minister Pham Van Dong signed the Resolution no 115 CP regulating all functions and task of Vietnam Ocean Shipping Agency along with legally certificating VOSA role before the world. This had created motivation for VOSA to step up and continue writing its gold page in its history.

… open the prestigous future

To achieve the current success today, we all agree that this enterprise is one of the entrepreneur open the international integration of Vietnam from very beginning. From 1985 and 1986 of the last century, VOSA is one of the first companies joined BIMCO; from 1996 and 1997 they joined FIATA, IATA and one of the members of VISABA and VIFFAS group (now changed to VLA) early (1994); then they was delegated task by the General Department of Seaway to build VICUB (a joint venture with Cuban maritime brokerage) representatives in London (England)…

In the next integration process with high competiveness, VOSA’s leaders at different stages had always been thinking, creating and solving the questions of trade. From individual services, VOSA has quickly enlarged new diverse services and complete sypply chain of logistics services with high quality, well trained labours with highly loyalty…, this significantly bring many benefits and success to their partners as well as clients. Year by year, sale and benefits of VOSA has highly increased, all equipment and working machines always well invested and living quality of staff members are improved and enhanced so far. The company capital is preserved and the proverty value is continuously rising over months and years. And now, VOSA currently has become trusted branch name to customers, national and international trade.

VOSA operates main activities like: ship carrier, brokerage services and ship lease; vessel supply, vehicle and logistics agent, entrusted importexport services, temporary import and re-export, tally, warehouse exploitation, bonded warehouses, CFS, transshipment of oils etc. These services have constantly increased the value chain of VOSA.

6 decades of establishment and development of VOSA has sticked with the fascinating national history – the period of national struggling to unify the country and promote international integration. All achievements and internal strength going through the last 60 years will be driving force helping the VOSA ship to turn off waves coincide and strive to be success.