European exporters face having their shipments to Asia disrupted for up to six weeks after a raft of container lines stopped accepting cargo bookings this week in an effort to clear a backlog of freight at European ports.

Local shipping lines have lost ground to international rivals in recent years and the situation is projected to worsen unless prompt coping actions are taken, said the Vietnamese Ship Owners' Association (VSA).

Vietnam Association for Exporters and Producers on Monday proposed to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to reduce shipping freight costs, which were increased recently, to ease burden on seafood enterprises.

Hanjin Shipping took delivery of the first two of a series of nine 13,100-TEU capacity container ships that it started ordering in June 2011.

State support is crucial for shipping firms and port businesses to keep their heads above water amid a hostile business climate.

Tan Cang Human Resources Development Company (STC), which was put into operation in HCM City on Mar. 21, is expected to supply human resources for seaports, maritime transport and logistics in Vietnam.

The maritime transport market in 2012 would be still full of difficulties for domestic shipping firms due to the global economic uncertainties and the tonnage oversupply.

This year is challenging for shipping firms on the back of a global weakening economy. "Shipping fees in most local as well as international routes will only fluctuate in a tight range in 2012 against 2011," said Vietnam Shipowners' Association chairman Do Xuan Quynh.

The Doosan Heavy Industries Vietnam (Doosan Vina) company in the central province of Quang Ngai has completed the shipment of eight rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGC) to the Port of Singapore Authority, said Hang Ha Ryu, Doosan Vina General Director.

Shipping lines have announced they will increase surcharges next month to make up for their lost revenues resulting from fuel price rises and shipping charge discounts.