Transportation and Logistics

Port operators in the south of Vietnam are facing the adverse effects of increasing competition on traffic and profitability as various new seaports have been developed in the greater HCMC area to assist with the projected growth of the country’s exports and imports. On the other hand, there remain handling capacity constraints of existing container ports in the north of Vietnam.

Inner port efficiencies in communications and transport also need to be improved as do strategies for effective supply chain management. The balance between port projects and support infrastructure development (e.g. construction of connecting roads and bridges to seaports) remains an area for further development, making transportation infrastructure projects promising investments for major international companies.

A sampling of our highlight matters in this area includes:

• Negotiating a joint venture for a proposed major port facility, including a container and general cargo facility located in Vietnam.
• Advising on a proposed port development, which required expert contacts and in-depth knowledge of the sector due to strict regulations and evolving legislation.
• Advising a lender on Vietnam law issues relating to a contentious debt restructuring of a large state-owned company in Vietnam in the shipbuilding sector.
• Advising on a ship repair yard joint venture in Ho Chi Minh City and a towage joint venture in Vung Tau.
• Advising a leading aviation consultancy in the Asia Pacific region on its relationship with an aviation company specialising in Passenger – Cargo Transport, Aircraft Repair & Maintenance, Aviation Fuel supply, and pilot training in Vietnam.
• Advising a large Vietnamese State-owned enterprise in respect of its entry into a major deep-water container terminal port development joint venture with one of the world’s largest shipping and stevedore companies.
• Acting for a major Hong Kong-based private equity fund in relation to its successful bidding and subscription for a “strategic shareholder” stake in Vietnam’s largest State-owned maritime transportation and logistics enterprise.