Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, December 21, 2018. — REUTERS/VNA Photo

HÀ NỘI — The maritime authorities have urged the foreign ministry to engage with Iran to help ensure safe passage for Vietnamese-owned vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the Middle East disrupt shipping routes and complicate insurance coverage.

The Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration, as quoted on March 28 by the online Thanh Niên newspaper, said 19 ships owned by Vietnamese companies are currently operating in the region and may need to transit the strategic waterway, a key artery for global oil shipments.

Of those, four sail under the Vietnamese flag, while the rest fly foreign flags.

While some vessels continue to operate, others have been forced to anchor and wait for more favourable conditions before attempting the passage, the agency said.

Citing proposals from shipowners, the administration has recommended that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seek coordination with Iranian authorities to support Vietnamese-owned vessels and seafarers transiting the strait, with assistance prioritised according to ownership, flag and crew composition.

Top priority would be given to Vietnamese-flagged ships owned by domestic companies and engaged in trade between Việt Nam and the Middle East.

Next in line are foreign-flagged vessels owned by Vietnamese firms with Vietnamese crew, followed by ships owned by Vietnamese companies but operating under foreign flags with non-Vietnamese crew and engaged in trading activities outside Việt Nam.

The agency also called for favourable conditions to facilitate the transport of crude oil and petroleum products from the Middle East to the country, to help ensure a stable domestic energy supply.

Officials further proposed that Iran issue a formal notice confirming that Vietnamese vessels and crews are permitted to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Such confirmation would provide a basis for shipping firms to secure risk insurance, which has become harder to obtain as insurers tighten conditions amid regional uncertainty.

The administration has also asked the foreign ministry to instruct Vietnamese diplomatic missions in the Middle East to closely monitor developments and provide timely support to vessels and seafarers in case of emergencies.

Separately, the agency has proposed temporary fee relief to help domestic shipping firms cope with rising fuel costs. It has asked the finance ministry to consider cutting certain domestic maritime fees for vessels entering and leaving Vietnamese waters to zero.

However, it recommended keeping existing fee levels unchanged for international shipping activities, noting that foreign vessels calling at Vietnamese ports are also subject to port charges imposed by other jurisdictions along their routes. — VNS