With a commitment to operating in line with international standards and placing safety at the forefront, on 1 June 2026, Hai Phong International Container Terminal Co., Ltd. (HTIT), in collaboration with Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company, officially launched the advanced training programme entitled “Enhancing Capacity in Port Operation Management and Safety.” 

The programme aims to strengthen port operation management capabilities, foster a strong safety culture, and develop a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of the maritime and logistics industries in the context of global integration.

Attending and providing direction at the opening ceremony were Mr. Ngo Trung Hieu, General Director of HTIT; Mr. Le Hong Quan, General Director of Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company; and the programme instructor, Mr. Leon Van Hoff, Deputy General Director of HTIT and a globally recognised port industry expert with extensive leadership experience at major international operators, including APM Terminals, DP World and TIL.

Safety First – Safety as a Driver of Sustainable Growth 

During the opening session, Mr. Leon Van Hoff guided participants through the importance of building a proactive safety culture. Beyond theoretical concepts, the programme emphasised that safety is a fundamental pillar for improving productivity and ensuring sustainable operational performance.

The training programme brings together 26 key personnel from the Commercial, Engineering, and Operations divisions. Throughout the course, participants will be introduced to seven critical risk management standards aligned with international best practices, covering stringent safety requirements for pedestrians, mobile equipment, suspended loads, working at height, marine safety, specialised technical operations, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.

Guided by the principle of “Safety First,” the training programme has been designed to strengthen safety culture, enhance risk management capabilities, and standardise operational procedures in line with global best practices. By fostering a safety-first mindset in every action and decision, the programme contributes to creating a safer working environment, improving cross-functional collaboration, and advancing port operations in a professional, efficient, and sustainable manner.

Building an Internal Trainer Network for Long-Term Development 

A key highlight of the programme is the professional train-the-trainer component designed for 26 core participants. Based on modern principles of behavioural psychology and adult learning, HTIT’s training approach is being transformed to focus more on practical application, reducing reliance on theoretical instruction while increasing the use of visual learning tools and real-life operational scenarios.

Mr. Leon Van Hoff emphasised the importance of the 72-hour principle, highlighting that knowledge must be continuously reinforced through practice in order to become a lasting habit. In addition, the SMART goal-setting framework was introduced to help managers apply a more structured and effective approach to planning, monitoring, and operational decision-making.

This programme marks the beginning of a long-term training roadmap jointly implemented by HTIT and Hai Phong Port. Following the train-the-trainer series, five Safety Excellence modules will be delivered through the end of 2026, followed by an Operational Excellence programme running through mid-2027.

By leveraging the expertise of its internal specialists, HTIT reaffirms its commitment to leading and standardising management and operational practices in accordance with international standards, contributing to higher productivity, improved service quality, and the continued advancement of the maritime industry.

(Photos: Port of Hai Phong)