VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Transport said any ports found to violate regulations on overloading from the second time will be closed for a period of between one and three months, a sanction accepted by all ports at a meeting here on Tuesday.

A container truck runs out of a port in HCMC. Port operators in HCMC pledge to accept tough sanctions, including business suspension, if they ignore overloaded trucks for two times

Representatives of ports located in HCMC at the end of the meeting convened by the ministry agreed to the punitive sanctions, which include financial punishment for the first violation, and suspension of business for the second violation onward.

They agreed that if ports are found to let overloaded trucks come in and out, the sanctions would be slapped. At the meeting with the ministry on controlling overloaded vehicles, all port operators in the city agreed to weigh trucks right at the ports.

The consensus was reached at length, but several port operators also showed their reluctance, citing numerous difficulties.

A representative of Lotus Port complained drivers hardly cooperated when the port’s staff wanted to check their vehicle registration certificates to establish the approved tonnage. Some drivers simply said they did not take such papers along, so port authorities had no basis for checking their loading capacity.

Another representative from Saigon Premier Container Terminal (SPCT) complained that the loading control will spur the transportation costs, reducing Vietnam’s competitive advantage and badly affecting the economy.

Many others also stated the stagnant circulation of goods while the freight kept rising as more trucks are required to transport the same volume compared to before.

In response to these opinions, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Cong affirmed the loading control must be done thoroughly.

According to him, no trucks will be allowed to leave ports if drivers cannot show certificates of registration.

“When all port operators implement this regulation strictly, drivers and businesses have no choice but to conform to the rule,” said Cong.

Lieutenant General Do Dinh Nghi, deputy director of the General Department of Administration Police on Social Security under the Ministry of Public Security, raised questions about the monitoring process.

He required port operators to clearly pinpoint the responsibilities of employees in each department to avoid violations.

An interdisciplinary inspection team including traffic police and inspectors will make a list of overloaded trucks, from which they can identify which port has infringed on loading regulations frequently.

Some 29 port operators in HCMC pledged in writing that they will not allow any overloaded trucks pass the gate. For the first violation, port agencies agreed to be penalized pursuant to Decree No.71 and Circular No.55.

Those who commit violation for the second time will receive an additional punishment of business suspension for one to three months.

SGT/VNN