CURRENT SITUATION OF RESOLVING GENERAL AVERAGE DISPUTES IN MARITIME TRANSPORT IN VIETNAM TODAY

ТЕКУЩАЯ СИТУАЦИЯ С РАЗРЕШЕНИЕМ СПОРОВ ПО ОБЩЕЙ АВАРИИ НА МОРСКОМ ТРАНСПОРТЕ ВО ВЬЕТНАМЕ В НАСТОЯЩЕЕ ВРЕМЯ

Фам Вьет Ань

доктор морских наук, Факультет морского права и политики, Морской институт, Университет транспорта,

Вьетнам, г. Город Хошимин,

ABSTRACT

General Average is a special legal regime in maritime transport that frequently leads to complex and prolonged disputes. This article evaluates the current situation of handling General Average disputes in Vietnam from 2018 to 2025, based on the Maritime Code 2015 (Chapter XVI, Articles 282 to 296) and the York-Antwerp Rules 2016. Through analysis of 12 typical cases and data from the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the study identifies major limitations, including lengthy settlement times (averaging 14–28 months), disputes over the conditions for declaring General Average (Article 283), the reasonableness of expenses, and the principles of apportionment (Article 292). The article proposes comprehensive solutions to improve dispute resolution efficiency and protect the interests of all parties involved in Vietnam’s maritime transport.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Общая авария - это особый правовой режим в сфере морских перевозок, который часто приводит к сложным и длительным спорам. В этой статье дается оценка текущей ситуации с рассмотрением споров по общим авариям во Вьетнаме с 2018 по 2025 год на основе Морского кодекса 2015 года (глава XVI, статьи 282-296) и Йоркско-Антверпенских правил 2016 года. На основе анализа 12 типичных дел и данных Вьетнамского международного арбитражного центра (VIAC) и Морской администрации Вьетнама в исследовании были выявлены основные ограничения, в том числе длительные сроки урегулирования (в среднем 14-28 месяцев), споры об условиях объявления общей аварии (статья 283), обоснованности расходов и принципах, применяемых при расчетах о распределении (статья 292). В статье предлагаются комплексные решения для повышения эффективности разрешения споров и защиты интересов всех сторон, вовлеченных в морские перевозки во Вьетнаме.

Keywords: General Average; Dispute resolution; Vietnam.

Ключевые слова: Общая авария; Разрешение споров; Вьетнам.

1. INTRODUCTION

Maritime transport accounts for over 80% of Vietnam’s import-export cargo volume, with total throughput reaching approximately 750 million tons per year in 2025. In this context, General Average remains one of the most common sources of disputes in maritime law. According to statistics from the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC) and the Vietnam Maritime Administration, from 2018 to 2025 there were approximately 68 General Average disputes with a total disputed value exceeding 3,200 billion VND. The average settlement time ranged from 14 to 28 months, causing significant losses in time, costs, and trust among the parties involved.

This article assesses the current situation of resolving General Average disputes in Vietnam, provides an in-depth analysis of the York-Antwerp Rules 2016, identifies limitations, and proposes appropriate solutions.

2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

2.1. International Legal Framework

General Average is primarily governed by the York-Antwerp Rules 2016 - the unified international rules referenced in most maritime contracts. Compared to the 1994 version, the 2016 Rules introduce several important improvements:

Rule A: Clarifies the concept of “common safety” as a real and unavoidable danger;

Rule B: Adds the principle of “environmental salvage” that can be included in General Average if the action saves both the ship and the cargo;

Rule C: Clearly limits allowable expenses and excludes indirect or consequential losses;

Rule XVII: Establishes the principle of apportionment based on the salved value at the end of the common adventure;

Rule XVIII: Permits the use of electronic documents in General Average adjustment procedures.

2.2. Vietnamese Legal Framework

Maritime Code 2015: Chapter XVI (Articles 282 to 296) provides detailed regulations on General Average. Specifically: Article 282: Definition of General Average; Article 283: Conditions for declaring General Average; - Articles 284–291: Allowable expenses; Article 292: Principles of apportionment of General Average; Articles 293–296: Procedures for adjustment and apportionment.

Law on Insurance Business 2022 regulates the insurer’s liability in General Average cases. Currently, most Bills of Lading issued in Vietnam explicitly state that the York-Antwerp Rules 2016 apply.

3. CURRENT SITUATION OF OIL SPILL RESPONSE

From 2018 to 2025, General Average disputes mainly occurred at the ports of Cat Lai, Hai Phong, and Da Nang. The most common types of disputes are:

- Disputes over the conditions for declaring General Average (Article 283) – 48%.

- Disputes over the reasonableness and amount of allowable expenses – 32%.

- Disputes over the principles of apportionment (Article 292) – 15%.

Typical cases

2022 Container Ship Collision in Vung Tau: The shipowner declared General Average of USD 1.85 million. Cargo interests contested the declaration due to lack of proof of “common safety”. The case took 26 months to resolve at the Ho Chi Minh City Court.

2024 Bulk Carrier Incident in Hai Phong: Dispute concerning salvage costs and apportionment under Article 292, resolved by VIAC after 16 months.

Average settlement time: Courts 18–28 months, VIAC arbitration 12–16 months. Enforcement rate stands at only 62%.

4. LIMITATIONS AND CAUSES

Complicated declaration and adjustment procedures with insufficient transparency. Serious disputes regarding the application of Rule A, Rule B, and Article 292 of the Maritime Code 2015. Lack of specialized knowledge among judges and arbitrators concerning the York-Antwerp Rules 2016. Limited adoption of electronic documents.

The Maritime Code 2015 (Chapter XVI, Articles 282–296) has not yet provided detailed guidance on several new provisions of the York-Antwerp Rules 2016. Limited professional capacity of adjudicating bodies. Vietnamese enterprises lack experience in handling General Average cases. The specialized maritime arbitration mechanism remains underdeveloped.

5. RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS

Legal improvement: Amend the Maritime Code to fully and specifically incorporate the York-Antwerp Rules 2016 (particularly Rules A, B, XVII, XVIII and Article 292) as mandatory reference rules. Develop specialized arbitration mechanism: Expand VIAC’s role with a dedicated General Average arbitration panel applying fast-track procedures under the 2016 Rules. Technological application: Encourage the use of e-B/L and specialized software for General Average adjustment. Capacity building: Organize regular training for judges, arbitrators, and enterprises on the York-Antwerp Rules 2016. Strengthen international cooperation: Deepen participation in international maritime organizations and conclude mutual recognition agreements on General Average awards.

CONCLUSION

The current situation of resolving General Average disputes in maritime transport in Vietnam still faces many limitations, mainly due to the legal framework not being fully synchronized with the York-Antwerp Rules 2016 and insufficient professional expertise. Improving the legal framework, applying technology, and enhancing training are urgent measures needed to raise dispute resolution efficiency, protect the interests of all parties, and promote the sustainable development of Vietnam’s maritime transport industry.

References:

1. Vietnam Maritime Administration. Report on Maritime Transport Disputes 2018–2025. URL: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-maritime-administration-tag7369.vnp  (date of request 31.03.2026)
2. Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC). Maritime Arbitration Report 2025. URL: https://www.viac.vn/ (date of request 31.03.2026)
3. York-Antwerp Rules 2016. Comité Maritime International. URL: https://comitemaritime.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2016-York-Antwerp-Rules-Proposals-CMI-Guidelines-V4.pdf (date of request 31.03.2026)
4. Lowndes & Rudolf: The Law of General Average and The York-Antwerp Rules, 15th Edition, 2022. URL: https://www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/en-gb/products/lowndes-and-rudolf-the-law-of-general-average-and-the-york-antwerp-rules-15th-edition-british-shipping-laws-print-and-proview-ebook-bundle-42969527 (date of request 31.03.2026)
5. Maritime Code of Vietnam 2015 (amended). URL: https://apolatlegal.com/laws/the-vietnam-maritime-code-2015/ (date of request 31.03.2026)