Employees at Savan Park, Savannakhet Dry Port get first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

A total of 736 employees at Savan Seno Special Economic Zone C (Savan Park) received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine on May 22 at a vaccination centre within the zone as part of efforts to counter the spread of the Coronavirus.
The vaccination drive was part of efforts to help the government and local authorities to contain the spread of the deadly virus that poses a real threat to the lives of people and the nation’s economic development.
Savan Park and the first dry port in the Lao PDR, Savannakhet Dry Port, co-organised the Covid-19 vaccination drive in collaboration with the Savannakhet Health Department to enable employees of companies in the zone to receive the first jabs of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Members of the management team of Savan Park and Savannakhet Dry Port at the vaccination centre on May 22.

With the aim of implementing measures for fighting the spread of Covid-19, Savannakhet Dry Port is now strictly following measures and guidelines unveiled by health authorities to prioritise hygienic policies, especially for trucks crossing from Thailand.
Trucks crossing from Thailand via the 2nd Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge (Mukdahan-Savannakhet) come to the port to move a container from one truck and place it on another truck. Therefore, authorities at the port are strictly observing measures to clean every truck.
Savan Logistics Ltd, the operator of Savannakhet Dry Port, is also implementing health measures and related rules by checking every newly arrived truck in line with international health standards.
Currently, goods are being transported from Singapore and Thailand to China by road freight services, with a transit stop at Savannakhet Dry Port. The main reason for using this route is that goods can be transported in a much shorter time, compared to sea routes.
The cost of logistics has been reduced after the opening of Savannakhet Dry Port as Less Than a Container Load (LCL) cargo has been introduced, meaning that customers can consolidate their cargo in one container.
Most shipping lines charge more to transport an empty container to the doorstep. The charges have become cheaper after the dry port was recognised as a shipping line and transporters were able to deposit empty containers at the dry port.
LASAV is the official port code designated by UNESCAP for Savannakhet Dry Port.
Last year, the total value of transit cargo was recorded at US$6.85 billion, and in the first quarter of 2021, the transit cargo was valued at US$1.56 billion.
This figure exceeded expectations, with the reason being that ocean freight is becoming more expensive and limited. This means companies are turning to road freight instead of ocean freight.
Labour recruitment is not an issue because Savannakhet province has the largest population in Laos and is home to several thousand graduates from a variety of educational institutions.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, many skilled Lao nationals have returned from Thailand and are looking for jobs in Savannakhet.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update May 25, 2021)