On 13/3, the Ministry of Construction submitted a report to the Government detailing the impact of fuel price fluctuations on the transport and construction sectors.

According to the Ministry of Construction, fuel costs account for 30-40% of operating expenses for maritime and inland waterway transport. A 20% increase in fuel prices can lead to approximately a 15% rise in sea transport costs and an 18% increase in inland waterway transport costs.

For international maritime transport, many routes passing through the Middle East must extend their journeys by 14-20 days to avoid conflict zones. This also incurs a war risk surcharge of around 2,000-4,000 USD per container. As a result, international transport service prices on several routes from TP HCM to the UAE, the US, and Europe have increased two to three times.

Cat Lai Port, Thu Duc City in 2/2026. Photo: Quynh Tran

In the road transport sector, fuel costs constitute about 30-40% of total road transport expenses. Rising fuel prices have prompted many businesses to adjust their rates upward, consequently increasing logistics costs and commodity prices.

Reports from localities indicate significant increases in transport rates in some areas, such as Ninh Binh (up 50%), Quang Ninh, Vinh Long, Tuyen Quang, and Lao Cai (up to 33%), Hue City (31%), and Ca Mau (30%). Mountainous provinces like Lai Chau, Dien Bien, and Lao Cai experienced the highest increases, with some routes seeing up to a 50% rise due to challenging terrain and high fuel consumption.

In Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, freight and container transport rates increased by an average of 10-24%, adding pressure to port logistics supply chains.

In the aviation sector, aviation fuel costs currently account for about 35-40% of airlines' total operating expenses. Additionally, the closure or restriction of many airspace areas forces aircraft to reroute, incurring additional fees for alternative corridors and insurance risk surcharges.

Currently, the price of Jet A-1 aviation fuel in Singapore is trading around 160 USD per barrel and could rise to nearly 170 USD per barrel in March due to concerns over escalating geopolitical tensions and limited supply. According to airline reports, Vietnam Airlines' operating expenses have increased by approximately 50-60%, Sun Phu Quoc Airways by 30%, and VietJet Air by an additional 2 trillion VND per month.

The railway sector has also adjusted passenger and freight transport prices, as fuel costs account for about 26% of transport expenses.

In response to this situation, the Ministry of Construction proposed to the Government a continued implementation of solutions to address the Middle East conflict. This includes diversifying crude oil supply for refineries to ensure domestic fuel supply. Concurrently, it is necessary to establish a high-level working mechanism with regional countries such as Thailand and China to support Vietnamese businesses in accessing Jet A-1 fuel sources.

The Ministry of Construction also requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to direct refineries and petrochemical plants to expand raw material imports and require fuel businesses to prioritize supplying fuel to transport and construction companies in the event of a supply shortage.

The Ministry of Finance was proposed to study reducing special consumption tax and environmental protection tax on fuel for an appropriate period. It was also asked to consider reducing landing and air navigation fees by 50% in the aviation sector, waiving or reducing port and inland waterway terminal fees, and including transport fuel in the list of goods eligible for VAT reduction from 10% to a suitable level.

The Ministry of Construction stated it will intensify monitoring of fuel price developments and their impact on transport service prices. It will also inspect the declaration and adjustment of transport rates by businesses to ensure transparency and alignment with fuel price fluctuations.

Regarding international transport operations, the Ministry of Construction proposed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs support working with countries and aviation authorities to facilitate fuel suppliers' access to goods, helping Vietnamese airlines maintain historical slots when necessary. If required, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also asked to coordinate sending diplomatic notes to some Middle Eastern countries to support Vietnamese vessels and crew when logistics needs arise.

Doan Loan