inland waterway transport in the lao pdr

Inland Waterway Transport in the Lao PDR

Lao People’s Democratic RepublicPeace Independence Democracy Unity and Prosperity

Ministry of Public Works and TransportDepartment of Waterways

5/2/20201 Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways

CONTENT

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1. Introduction2. Ports in the Lao PDR

3. Inland Waterway Transport in Laos

4. Legal Framework

5. Future Plan

5/2/2020Ministry of Public works and Transport, Department of Waterways

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❖ The Lao PDR is among the world leastdeveloped countries and also the land-lock country in the South East AsiaRegion only one of the Forty land-lockedcountries in the world.

❖ The policy of our country is to transformthe country from landlocked to land-linked, particularly in the Greater MekongSub-region.

❖ Mekong river is an international riverconnecting to six countries in Asia (China,Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam andCambodia) and it is very important fornavigation and waterways transport inLaos.

❖ The Khone fall is the main barrier at Laosand Cambodia border.

1. INTRODUCTION

5/2/2020Ministry of Public works and Transport, Department of Waterways

❖ There are 29 existing ports located along the Mekong river

❖ A few ports are located along tributaries such as Nam Ou, Nam Ngum, Nam Kading, XeBang Fai.

❖ There are 3 types of ports:

(1) The main port is Laos-Japan friendship port (Lak Si port, Vientiane Capital)

(2) Provincial and local ports

(3) Some provincial ports in the northern region have been used for international transportation following the Agreement on Commercial Navigation on Lancang-Mekong River among China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand such as Xieng Kok, Ban Mom, Houeisay, Pak Beng and Luang Prabang port.

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2. River Ports in Laos

5/2/2020Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways

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River ports along the Mekong River

Xieng Kok portBan Mom Ports

Vientiane port

Luangprabang port

Park beng port

Huay Sai port

Xayyabury port

Paksan port

Khammouan port

Savannakhet port

Pakse port

Port Management

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❖ The majority of existing river portsin Laos are under theresponsibility of the ProvincialDepartment of Public Works andTransport (DPWT)and Districts.

❖ Some river ports are still naturalcondition without concrete rampand difficult for berthing and alsolack of facility equipment forLoading, Unloading cargousually carry by man power.

❖ The rehabilitation of ports are stilllimited due to lack of fund.


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❖ Before 1996 the Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) is the mostprominent mode of transport in Laos, while the construction ofthe Road No.13N and No.13S was completed then InlandWaterway Transport is reduced its performance from year to yeardue to:

1. Lack of tools and equipment for loading and unloading andalso facility equipment;2. Limitation of passage during dry season due to shallow waterlevel, sand bars and rapids;3. Difficulties in rainy season due to high current flow, turbulentand many hot spots along the rivers;4. Less of cargos volume in waterway transport.

3. Inland Waterway Transport (IWT)


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IWT, cont


❖ Mekong River is the main route forInland Waterway Transport fromNorth to South, which caneconomically linked Laos to theother five riparian countries.

❖ Navigation channel in the MekongRiver divided into 5 stretches withdifference navigation conditiondepending on seasonal and waterlevel in the river.

❖ Since 20th April 2000 theAgreement on Commercialnavigation on Lancang-MekongRiver has been signed betweenfour countries (China, Myanmar,Laos and Thailand)

❖ Nowadays, only the section fromHoueisay to Luang Prabang andHoueisay to Guan Lei of China arestill important routes for cargos,passengers and tourists.

❖ Main commodities arepassengers, tourists and cargossuch as a agriculture products,construction material, fuel, sand,rock, steel and etc...9

Ban Mom port, Bokeo Prov.

Xieng Kok port, Louangnumtna Prov.

IWT, cont


❖ The fleet is different capacity both Cargo and passenger vessels which refer to navigation channel condition:– 71 cargo vessels with

carrying capacity 50 DWT and over and 237 cargo vessels less than 50 DWT; 33 ferries.

– 84 passenger vessels with carrying over 50 persons, 303 vessels (15-50 persons) and 3,054 boats with carrying less than 15 persons;

FLEET

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IWT, cont

NO GENERAL UNIT

CARGO SHIPS

1 0,5 - 5 Ton 185

2 6 - 50 Ton 237

3 > 50 Ton 71

4 FERRY 33

TOTAL 526

NO PASSENGER UNIT

VESSEL (seat)

1 < 15 Seat 3054

2 16 - 50 Seat 303

3 > 50 Seat 84

4 SPEEDBOAT 675

TOTAL 4116

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Type of BoatHoueisay - Pak Beng port


4. Legal Frame Work

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❖ Drafted Development Plan for Navigation ChannelImprovement in Lancang-Mekong River from 2016-2025 including two phases from 2016-2020 and2020-2025. Now completed the technical survey andstudy on ESIA.

❖ Completed drafting the master Plan on IWT in LowerMekong Basin between four countries (Laos,Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam) including shortterm and long term plan from 2015-2025 and 2025-2040. Waiting an approval from government.

❖ To build inland waterway law and other regulationsconcerned under the law.

❖ Formulate strategic plan for development of InlandWaterway Transport (IWT) up to 2030.


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❖ To construct three river ports in the northern part as: Xieng kok, Pakbeng and Khok Chong port and improve the existing ports along the Mekong River;

❖ Improve navigation channel from Luang Prabang to Champasack province;

❖ Improve cargos and passenger vessels to beregional standard and Installation communicationmean/equipment;

❖Set up national navigation training center and formulate the training of trainer courses, issuing certificate to Crews and Pilot .


5. Future Plan for Developing IWT

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inland waterway transport in the lao pdr

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