Clearance for Container HC 40 feet

3:26:16 PM | 7/8/2005

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Haiphong Land Transport Association recently held a seminar: "Land transport of the Container HC 40 feet: problems and solutions" for representatives of businesses, associations, the Ministry of Transport and related agencies.

According to the Vietnam Road Administration, the safe clearance of land transport is 4.2 metres, while the height of trucks carrying container HC 40 feet is 4.35 metres, 15 centimetres above the limit. The representatives of businesses said that the decision of the road administration has seriously affected business activities. Since early 2004, over 9,000 containers HC 40 feet of international standard have been imported to Haiphong Port and there still remains some 3,000 left. This means that the owners have to spend extra money for reloading their goods into small containers or for bribery of the police.

It is understandable that the decision by the Ministry of Transport is to ensure traffic safety, however, it cannot ignore international practice in transport activities, especially when Vietnam is in the process of international integration. The representatives of the Ministry of Transport and related agencies have understood the constraints and the business community are now eagerly waiting a solution.