Only 10 per cent of scrap containers handled at Cát Lái Port

HCM CITY — Only 350 of over 3,000 scrap containers stuck at Cát Lái Port in HCM City had been opened and handled so far this year, said Nguyễn Hữu Nghiệp, deputy head of the city’s Customs Agency.

Nghiệp, who is also head of a council in charge of handling leftover goods at the port, said the task of the council was to open, check and categorise the scrap, then ask authorised agencies to handle them following Ministry of Finance’s regulations.

“The handling has been slow because assessing the scrap takes time and needs to be conducted carefully. The customs agency does not allow imports if the scrap is trash. Scrap that can be recycled will be auctioned,” he said.

According to HCM City’s Customs Agency, imported scrap that meets these requirements would be allowed to be unloaded and have its quality assessed. If they met quality assessment criteria, they would be accepted in Việt Nam.

As of December 17, 16 scrap containers in HCM City had not been allowed to unload due to failing to show certificates licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, according to the agency.

Due to the large number of scrap containers stuck at ports across the country which could have a potentially harmful impact on the environment, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to stop granting new scrap import certificates or extending the validity of existing certificates. — VNS