ECONOMY-SCIENTIFIC-TECHNOLOGY
Environment ministry announces measures to deal with scrap containers held up at ports
04 October 2018 | 10:28:00 AM
Over 4,900 scrap containers left unclaimed for 90 days are piling up at major seaports across the country, raising environmental concerns.
Imported scrap containers held up at Cát Lái port in HCM City.
At a press conference on Monday, regarding press queries on the handling of scrap containers, deputy environment minister Lê Công Thành said that the following solutions are being pursued.
For shipments of scrap imported by 116 qualified businesses, accounting for 42 per cent of all scrap owners, customs authorities would ask that these businesses quickly complete customs clearance procedures as required.
In cases where the shipments fail to meet environmental protection requirements, they will be re-exported or disposed of – either way, the costs would be borne by those businesses, deputy minister Thành said.
Regarding the shipments imported by 158 businesses without licences and proper documents, customs authorities would continue to vet these businesses and may charge them with smuggling offences.
For unclaimed imported shipments, the authorities would find capable businesses that can either deal with shipments deemed as hazardous waste, or ones deemed eligible for re-cycling.
According to the ministry, the influx of scrap occurred as China, the world’s largest importer of recyclable waste, stopped importing 24 types of waste starting this year, forcing many countries to move their waste elsewhere, with popular destinations including Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam or Thailand.
(VNS)
Views: 147
Other news
Vietnam faces challenges in ensuring water security (09/02/2019 08:50:AM )
USD30.43-million support proposed to save Cua Dai beach (23/01/2019 02:49:PM )
Quang Ninh installs solar panels for island residents (14/01/2019 03:06:PM )
European Parliament delegation prepares to ratify forestry agreement with Vietnam (09/01/2019 08:32:AM )
Tram Chim National Park at its best during flood season (03/01/2019 07:31:AM )
Vietnam houses 235,000ha of FSC-certificated forests (28/12/2018 10:03:AM )
USD800m waste treatment project stagnant for two years (22/12/2018 07:41:AM )
Hanoi highlights air pollution (29/11/2018 02:49:PM )
Vietnam’s wetlands under threat (14/11/2018 01:55:PM )