’s Democratic Republic Peace Independence Democracy Unity and Prosperity

Ministry of Public Works and Transport Department of Waterways

Inland Waterway Transport in the Lao PDR

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

1. Introduction 2. Ports in the Lao PDR 3. Inland Waterway Transport in 4. Legal Framework 5. Future Plan

2 Ministry of Public works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 1. INTRODUCTION ❖ The Lao PDR is among the world least developed countries and also the land- lock country in the South East Asia Region only one of the Forty land-locked countries in the world. ❖ The policy of our country is to transform the country from landlocked to land- linked, particularly in the Greater Sub-region. ❖ Mekong river is an international river connecting to six countries in Asia (China, , Laos, , Vietnam and Cambodia) and it is very important for navigation and waterways . ❖ The Khone fall is the main barrier at Laos and Cambodia border.

3 Ministry of Public works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 2. River Ports in Laos ❖ 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, Xe Bang Fai. ❖ There are 3 types of ports: (1) The main port is Laos-Japan friendship port (Lak Si port, 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. 4 Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 River ports along the Mekong River

Xieng Kok port Ban Mom Ports

  Luangprabang port   

Xayyabury port Huay Sai port   Paksan port Park beng port   Khammouan port

Vientiane port  port 

Pakse port

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

❖ The majority of existing river ports in Laos are under the responsibility of the Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport (DPWT)and Districts. ❖ Some river ports are still natural condition without concrete ramp and difficult for berthing and also lack of facility equipment for Loading, Unloading cargo usually carry by man power. ❖ The rehabilitation of ports are still limited due to lack of fund.

6 Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 3. Inland Waterway Transport (IWT)

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

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

7 Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 IWT, cont ❖ Mekong River is the main route for Inland Waterway Transport from North to South, which can economically linked Laos to the other five riparian countries. ❖ Navigation channel in the Mekong River divided into 5 stretches with difference navigation condition depending on seasonal and water level in the river.

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

❖ Since 20th April 2000 the Ban Mom port, Bokeo Prov. Agreement on Commercial navigation on Lancang-Mekong River has been signed between four countries (China, Myanmar, Laos and Thailand) ❖ Nowadays, only the section from Houeisay to Luang Prabang and Xieng Kok port, Louangnumtna Prov. Houeisay to Guan Lei of China are still important routes for cargos, passengers and tourists. ❖ Main commodities are passengers, tourists and cargos such as a agriculture products, construction material, fuel, sand, rock, steel and etc... 9 Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 IWT, cont

FLEET NO GENERAL UNIT CARGO SHIPS ❖ The fleet is different capacity 1 0,5 - 5 Ton 185 both Cargo and passenger 2 6 - 50 Ton 237 vessels which refer to navigation 3 > 50 Ton 71 channel condition: 4 FERRY 33 – 71 cargo vessels with TOTAL 526 carrying capacity 50 DWT and NO PASSENGER UNIT over and 237 cargo vessels VESSEL (seat) less than 50 DWT; 33 ferries. 1 < 15 Seat 3054 – 84 passenger vessels with 2 16 - 50 Seat 303 carrying over 50 persons, 303 3 > 50 Seat 84 vessels (15-50 persons) and 4 SPEEDBOAT 675 3,054 boats with carrying less TOTAL 4116 than 15 persons; 10 Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 Type of Boat Houeisay - Pak Beng port

11 Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 4. Legal Frame Work

❖ Drafted Development Plan for Navigation Channel Improvement in Lancang-Mekong River from 2016- 2025 including two phases from 2016-2020 and 2020-2025. Now completed the technical survey and study on ESIA. ❖ Completed drafting the master Plan on IWT in Lower Mekong Basin between four countries (Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam) including short term and long term plan from 2015-2025 and 2025- 2040. Waiting an approval from government. ❖ To build inland waterway law and other regulations concerned under the law. ❖ Formulate strategic plan for development of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) up to 2030.

12 Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 5. Future Plan for Developing IWT

❖ 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 be regional standard and Installation communication mean/equipment; ❖ Set up national navigation training center and formulate the training of trainer courses, issuing certificate to Crews and Pilot .

13 Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Department of Waterways 5/2/2020 Thank you for your kind attention