Vietnam Re-Elected as Chair of the Asia-Pacific Port Advisory Council

During the 13th session of the Advisory Council, APEC delegates unanimously re-elected Colonel Quy as Chair with a 100% approval vote, reflecting the members’ appreciation for Vietnam’s proactive role and its contributions to fostering connectivity and collaboration among member ports, as well as proposing effective solutions to “green” the shipping industry. Vietnam’s initiatives, particularly the “Green Maritime Corridor,” have left a strong impression with environmentally friendly solutions that benefit the regional port system.

The Vietnamese delegation also provided an economic update, highlighting the positive development of the port sector. Major projects, such as the Lach Huyen port complex (Hai Phong) and the Cai Mep complex (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), are new drivers of industry growth. This re-election underscores Vietnam’s active role in the Advisory Council, contributing not only through ideas but also by actively participating in connectivity initiatives, thereby reinforcing Vietnam's standing within the regional maritime sector.

Challenges and Opportunities with the "Green Maritime Corridor" Initiative

The "Green Maritime Corridor" is expected to bring sustainable infrastructure development and emission reductions to the shipping industry. Since its launch in 2022, this initiative has helped establish 45 green corridors globally, where ships operate using environmentally friendly fuels. At the conference, delegates highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation to implement this corridor while setting forth core solutions, including fuel innovation, port modernization, fleet upgrades, and route optimization.

Within the forum framework, the Council organized numerous discussion sessions, attracting experts from various fields such as port operations, technology consulting, and energy enterprises. This allowed for comprehensive perspectives, emphasizing both opportunities and challenges for green fuel supply chains, infrastructure investment, and addressing regulatory obstacles specific to each country. Specific proposals, such as expanding the Green Port Award System (GPAS) to include logistics companies and shipping businesses, reflect the Council’s commitment to building a greener and more sustainable port network across the region.

Future Orientation and Commitments of the APEC Port Community

At the end of the conference series, the Advisory Council also proposed the theme for the 2025 APEC Forum, "Prosperous Ports - Sharing the Future." Alongside this, proposals were made to strengthen cooperation through practical exchanges, learning from advanced ports, and developing specialized training programs with research institutes and academic centers to accelerate technological application and green port models in the region.

Furthermore, Vietnam introduced the Green Transport Corridor Development Support Fund, a practical solution aimed at supporting ports in developing economies within the region. This support enables ports within the bloc to learn from and access green technology from advanced countries, thus accelerating the process of digital transformation and green infrastructure development.

The 2024 APEC Port Services Network Forum in Malaysia marked an important milestone in regional cooperation and provided Vietnam with an opportunity to continue asserting its positive role. The re-election of Colonel Bui Van Quy is evidence of the trust APEC members have placed in Vietnam, affirming the country’s position in the international maritime field.

Through strong initiatives and commitments such as the "Green Maritime Corridor," the APEC port community is steadily moving closer to the goal of net-zero emissions. Close cooperation between members, technological innovation, and the shared efforts of stakeholders have been, are, and will continue to be a solid foundation that helps this community not only develop sustainably but also make a tangible contribution to global environmental protection. This represents not only an effort to green the shipping industry but also an investment in a sustainable and prosperous future for all.