Following the approval of the Ministry of Transport, on March 9-10, 2022, Vietnam Maritime Administration coordinated with the ASEAN Secretariat to organize the 42nd ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group Meeting (MTWG 42) in an online form. As the rotating mechanism of ASEAN, Deputy Administrator of the Vietnam Maritime Administration Hoang Hong Giang chaired the Meeting. Participants include 10 ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), dialogue partners: the United States, Japan, Korea, China, India, and regional associations of ASEAN.

Mr. Hoang Hong Giang, Deputy Administrator of Vietnam Maritime Administration - Chairman of the 42nd ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group (MTWG) Meeting, term 2022-2023

Opening ceremony,  Deputy Administrator Hoang Hong Giang emphasized :” In the past two years, despite being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, ASEAN member states have promptly adapted and coped with the adverse situations in the shipping sector such as port congestion, supply chain delays and container shortage issues by working effectively and closely together in implementing solutions and countermeasures involve.

The conference completed 10 agendas, which focused on a number of important programs such as implementation actions by member states under the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Plan (KLTSP) 2021-2026; realizing the ASEAN Single Shipping Market (ASSM) through the implementation of agreed strategies and measures (MT-1); conduct a pilot project on ASSM operation including in-depth cost and benefit studies (MT-1.2); develop and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the efficiency of seaports; maritime traffic initiative to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic; progress of the Working Group in the period of 2022-2023; ASEAN cooperation with private sector partners (Seaport Associations, Ship Owners) and regional dialogue partners.

Regarding the cooperation mechanism with dialogue partners, the representatives of each country gave an overview of the cooperation programs and plans along with suggestions and recommendations to improve the effectiveness such as “Research on ASEAN – China Maritime Transport”; “EU – ASEAN Maritime Transport Dialogue”; “ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership Working Plan (AJTP) 2021 – 2022”; "ASEAN - Korea Traffic Cooperation Roadmap". Regarding the "ASEAN-India Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement", the Meeting also achieved positive results and reached a mutual agreement on several issues, which includes searching and rescue, expanding cooperation.

At the Meeting, ASEAN member states also updated countries’ development plans in building the ASEAN seaport network; realizing the operation of RO-RO transport network, conducting a dialogue among the relevant ASEAN Member States to prepare for the operation of RO-RO lines; effectively develop and integrate an inland waterway transport (IWT) network.

As the Chairman of the Meeting, Mr. Hoang Hong Giang also expressed his belief that breakthroughs will be achieved in solving the issues discussed at the 27th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting and the 52nd ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting mentioned on the agenda.

Pictures at the 42nd ASEAN Maritime Transport Working Group Meeting: