Will there be a consideration for extending the registration cycle for inland waterway vehicles in the near future in Vietnam?

Will there be a consideration for extending the registration cycle for inland waterway vehicles in the near future in Vietnam?

On May 16, 2023, the Ministry of Transport issued Notice 154/TB-BGTVT 2023 on conclusions of the Deputy Minister of Transport at the meeting on registration of inland waterway vehicles.

According to this regulation, the Deputy Minister of Transport requested the Vietnam Register to continue to strive to remove difficulties to ensure there is no congestion, affecting the production and business of people and businesses, ensuring compliance with current regulations.

Including solutions to extend the registration cycle, increase shifts, increase and support human resources for water registration units in need, in addition to regularly encouraging civil servants, public employees, and workers. Take action to complete the registration of inland waterway vehicles according to regulations.

In addition, the Deputy Minister also requested to perform the following typical tasks:

- Issue a draft Circular amending and supplementing Circular 48/2015/TT-BGTVT regulating registration of inland waterway vehicles to ensure on schedule and quality as required.

- Assign the Vietnam Register to research and review the provisions of Decree 111/2014/ND-CP. If there are any problems or inconsistencies with practice, report them to the Ministry to propose timely amendments and supplements to the Government.

- Assign the Department of Infrastructure to organize a working session with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and a number of relevant localities to find solutions to overcome difficulties for sand and gravel mining enterprises on the river and seaport.

- Assign the Vietnam Register and the Vietnam Maritime Administration to unify and guide current regulations, standards and technical regulations on inland waterway vehicles and seagoing vessels so that ships carrying steel coils can navigate safely, without affecting businesses that cause frustration in society.

- The Vietnam Register Department coordinates with the Vietnam Inland Waterways Department to have solutions so that all areas have facilities for building and repairing vehicles to ensure stable lives of people and businesses.

- Assign the Department of Personnel and Organization: Urgently coordinate with the Vietnam Register to review, amend and supplement Circular 49/2015/TT-BGTVT to ensure that there is no shortage of appropriate marine registration personnel with the current situation.

Inland waterway vehicle registration is not applied for which vehicles in Vietnam?

In Article 1 of Circular 48/2015/TT-BGTVT, there are regulations on the scope of regulation of Circular 48/2015/TT-BGTVT as follows:

Scope

1. This Circular provides regulations on registration of inland waterway ships and organization of implementation thereof.

2. This Circular does not apply to:

a) Inland waterway ships used in performing national defense and security duties, fishing ships;

b) Non-motorized inland waterway ships with gross deadweight of up to 15 tonnes or carrying 12 persons or less;

c) Inland waterway ships with the main engine power of less than 5 HP and carrying less than 5 persons;

d) Rafts.

Thus, vehicles that do not need to undergo inland waterway vehicle registration include:

- Inland waterway ships used in performing national defense and security duties, fishing ships;

- Non-motorized inland waterway ships with gross deadweight of up to 15 tonnes or carrying 12 persons or less;

- Inland waterway ships with the main engine power of less than 5 HP and carrying less than 5 persons;

- Raft.

What is content of inland waterway vehicle registration in Vietnam?

In Article 4, Circular 48/2015/TT-BGTVT stipulates the following contents in the registration of inland waterway vehicles:

Contents of registration of inland waterway ships

1. Appraise design documents and guidance documents of the ship.

2. Carry out inspection of the satisfaction of technical safety and quality, and environmental protection requirements (hereinafter referred to as “inspection” and issue the certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and quality, and environmental protection requirements to the imported inland waterway ship.

3. Carry out inspection and issue certificate to industrial products.

4. Carry out inspection and issue certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to a new, modified or repaired ship.

5. Carry out inspection and issue certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to an inland waterway ship during its operation.

6. Measure and determine the deadweight tonnage and tonnage of the ship.

7. Measure and examine freeboard and draught of the ship.

8. Duplicate and appraise representative sample; appraise building design and as-built design of the ship.

Thus, Contents of registration of inland waterway ships in Vietnam will include:

- Appraise design documents and guidance documents of the ship.

- Carry out inspection of the satisfaction of technical safety and quality, and environmental protection requirements (hereinafter referred to as “inspection” and issue the certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and quality, and environmental protection requirements to the imported inland waterway ship.

- Carry out inspection and issue certificate to industrial products.

- Carry out inspection and issue certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to a new, modified or repaired ship.

- Carry out inspection and issue certificate of satisfaction of technical safety and environmental protection requirements to an inland waterway ship during its operation.

- Measure and determine the deadweight tonnage and tonnage of the ship.

- Measure and examine freeboard and draught of the ship.

- Duplicate and appraise representative sample; appraise building design and as-built design of the ship

Best regards!