Demand for logistics services has risen rapidly, but the plan to develop a professional logistics centre in HCM City is still on the drawing board, experts say.

Members of the HCM City Marine Science-Technology and Economy Association under HCM City 's Union of Science and Technology Societies convened for its first meeting on Sept. 19.

The liner shipping industry is encouraging governments to develop a unified set of standards to reduce carbon emissions from ocean-going vessels by working through the United Nations' International Maritime Organization.

A delegation from the Vietnam Marine Department (Vinamarin) has made a working visit to the Netherlands.

Despite being rather a new sector in Vietnam, logistics has proved its importance in the country's socio-economic development. However, the development of this potential service is facing many big challenges.

With the possibility of freighter flights looming, TNT has grown its presence in Vietnam with the expansion of its international and domestic operations centre next to Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat airport.

The Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore have recently co-organised a seminar on double taxation avoidance agreement between Viet Nam and Hong Kong.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a project to ensure the maritime- and island-related information network. Under his decision signed on July 22, most of the inhabited islands should have access to mobile, postal and Internet services for their economic development as well as to ensure security.

The Vietnam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) on Wednesday started work on a project to dredge the waterway and upgrade the wharf of Dung Quat general port, which is part of the Dung Quat Economic Zone in the central province of Quang Ngai.

The relatively nascent logistics sector in Vietnam has grown rapidly over the last decade but it is hampered by weaknesses including a dearth of qualified staff and a lack of professionalism, heard a conference Monday.