Vietnam proposes new maritime fees and investment law amendments

The Vietnamese government has introduced several legislative proposals aimed at refining maritime and investment regulations. Under a draft amendment to the Law on Maritime and Inland Waterway Administration, maritime pilotage enterprises operating in mandatory pilotage areas would be required to pay a new state budget contribution. This revenue, which is distinct from service fees and official charges, is intended to compensate for the use of state-invested maritime and inland waterway infrastructure. The amount would be determined based on service revenue, the characteristics of the pilotage area, and the level of infrastructure usage.

Simultaneously, the government has submitted a draft to amend the Law on Investment to attract more foreign capital and improve the domestic investment environment. The proposal includes four new forms of investment support: supply chain development, high-tech product manufacturing, fixed asset investment, and cooperation between businesses and educational or scientific institutions. Additionally, the draft seeks to ease market access for foreign investors and allows projects in eco-industrial parks to operate for up to 70 years. These measures aim to position Vietnam among the top three investment destinations in ASEAN and the top 30 globally by 2028.