Hanoi (VNA) - The transport sector needs to issue separatecirculars to manage coastal transport operations for cargo ships, especiallybulk cargo ships, a type of ship that runs off the coast and on rivers.

It was proposed by the Vietnam Maritime Administration and the Vietnam InlandWaterway Administration during a conference last week to discuss the managementof coastal transport routes for bulk vessels.

According to the report by the Vietnam Inland Water Administration, after fiveyears of opening transport routes for river-sea compatible ships since 2014,there are 839 bulk ships. Of which 305 ships were newly built and the remainingships were upgraded to bulk carriers from river vessels.

The shipping volume of bulk ships totalled more than 144 million tonnes ofcargo a year, increasing by 204 percent yearly.

The establishment of coastal transport routes has relieved the burden on roadtransportation.

However, there are still gaps in management as well as limitations that affectmaritime safety and transport efficiency, such as the lack of connectionbetween agencies on licensing and monitoring operation of vessels anduniformity of sanctions, officials said.

Vessels lack standard safety equipment and skilled individuals with experiencein maritime transport.

It is reported that 39 accidents have occurred in coastal transport routerelated to bulk vessels over the past five years, sinking 27 ships and leavingthree dead.

Agencies' leaders said they would review related issues to propose solutions tobetter manage bulk cargo ships in accordance with regulations on safety andmaritime security.

As per transport ministry regulations, bulkcargo ships are allowed to carry only goods and not allowed to travel beyond 12nautical miles from the coast./.