What Is Green Logistics and Where Can Vietnamese Importers and Exporters Start?

What Is Green Logistics?

Green logistics is the set of supply chain management and freight forwarding activities aimed at minimizing negative impacts on the natural environment. The concept covers every link in the chain: from material procurement, warehouse management and packing to the choice of transport and the handling of packaging and post-consumer returns.

The central goal of green logistics goes beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, NOx) and fine particulates; it also includes saving energy, reducing industrial plastic waste and using resources more sustainably.

Why Should Vietnamese Importers and Exporters Care About Green Logistics?

For importers and exporters in Vietnam, green logistics is no longer a fashionable slogan but is quickly becoming a required standard, for the following practical reasons:

• Meeting standards barriers in international markets: Key export markets such as the European Union (EU), the United States and Japan are applying strict emission control policies and requiring transparency on supply chain emissions.
• Cutting indirect operating costs: Optimizing packing volume, improving container load factors and limiting empty truck runs can significantly cut fuel and freight costs.
• Improving competitiveness and brand reputation: Businesses with a sustainable supply chain orientation can more easily meet the supplier assessment (ESG) criteria of multinational groups.

Practical Action Steps for Importers and Exporters

Moving to green logistics does not have to start with expensive projects. Businesses can begin right away with the practical steps below:

1. Optimize packing specifications and reduce excess material

Packing makes up a large share of logistics waste and directly affects the chargeable volume. Businesses can:

• Redesign cartons and packages to fit the product closely, reducing empty space inside.
• Arrange pallets to standard sizes to make full use of container or aircraft hold space and avoid wasting chargeable volume (volume weight).
• Gradually switch to recyclable or biodegradable packing materials or reusable wrap instead of single-use PE film.

2. Optimize transport modes and consolidation plans

Each mode of transport has a different carbon footprint. Businesses should review their delivery schedules proactively:

• Plan for the long term: Reduce the share of urgent orders that have to switch from sea to air, lowering both freight cost and emissions.
• Combine transport modes (multimodal): Use ocean and inland waterway transport for long-distance legs to replace road-only transport.
• Use LCL consolidation: Work with a freight forwarder to consolidate less-than-container-load cargo into full loads to make the best use of vehicle capacity on each trip.

3. Go digital and limit paper documents

Moving to electronic documents not only speeds up customs clearance but also saves large amounts of printed paper and courier shipments of original documents:

• Make maximum use of electronic data interchange and electronic customs declarations through dedicated customs clearance systems.
• Use electronic bills of lading (e-AWB in air freight and e-B/L in ocean freight) as recommended by international transport organizations.

4. Choose a professional logistics provider with optimized solutions

An experienced freight forwarder helps a business design the shortest transport route, arrange sensible pick-up and delivery consolidation, and advise on safe handling solutions that minimize the risk of cargo incidents causing environmental pollution.

VPL: Supporting Businesses Towards an Efficient Supply Chain

At Viet Power Logistics (VPL), we understand that sustainability goes hand in hand with cost efficiency. VPL is ready to advise businesses on optimized transport solutions:

• Advice on accurate packing specifications for general cargo and dangerous goods (DG), ensuring full safety under IATA/IMDG standards while optimizing chargeable volume.
• Flexible multimodal transport solutions (combining ocean FCL/LCL, air freight and domestic transport), helping reduce empty truck runs and save fuel.
• Streamlined, accurate customs and transport document procedures, helping your supply chain run smoothly and more environmentally friendly.

This article is for general information and was compiled by VPL from public sources at the time of publication. Regulations may change – please contact VPL for advice on your specific shipment.