Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration said on March 27 that it had submitted a report to the Ministry of Construction outlining measures to safeguard ships operating in the region.
According to shipping firms, 19 vessels owned by Vietnamese companies are currently operating in the Middle East, including four flying the Vietnamese flag and 15 registered under foreign flags.
The authority has urged the Ministry of Construction to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vietnam to request that Iran allow Vietnamese-flagged vessels, as well as foreign-flagged ships owned by Vietnamese companies and crewed by Vietnamese seafarers, to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
Under the proposal, top priority would be given to Vietnamese-flagged ships owned by domestic firms transporting goods between the Middle East and Vietnam.
Second priority would apply to foreign-flagged vessels owned by Vietnamese companies with Vietnamese crews, while third priority would cover foreign-flagged ships owned by Vietnamese firms with foreign crews operating outside Vietnam’s trade routes.
Vietnam has also called on Iran to facilitate the transit of Vietnamese vessels carrying crude oil and petroleum products from the Middle East to Vietnam, helping to maintain stable energy supplies.
In addition, Vietnamese authorities have requested Iran issue formal guidance confirming safe passage for Vietnamese ships and seafarers, which would enable shipping companies to secure war risk insurance, as insurers currently require official assurances.
The administration also proposed reducing maritime fees for vessels operating in the affected area to zero, in line with domestic fee frameworks issued by the Ministry of Finance.