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Hapag-Lloyd Vietnam planting mangroves to protect the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is a region in Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea. It encompasses a large portion of south-western Vietnam of over 40,500 square kilometers. Its wet coastal geography makes it an important source of agriculture and aquaculture for the country, which products will be exported to a large extend into countries around the globe. Lots of the Mekong Delta is dominated by mangrove trees. The mangrove forests play a crucial role in carbon removals as they are among the most carbon-dense ecosystems in the world, and if kept undisturbed, mangrove forest soils act as long-term carbon sinks. Unfortunately, the mangrove belt and the coastal zone of the Mekong-Delta, but also in other areas across Vietnam, predominantly in those where industrial zones have settled down over the past years, are in a serious state of degradation.

Help is urgently needed to save these ecological treasures. Hapag-Lloyd Vietnam strongly supports missions to stop the climate disaster in Vietnam. Together with an NGO, the Ministry of Forestry and with attendees from the local community, the Area participates in a massive mangrove reforestation program.

Last week 2,500 mangrove trees were planted on behalf of Hapag-Lloyd together with school children from the local community, who can learn more through online courses and in-person sessions about the importance of mangroves. Among the planters: Phuong Dinh, Manager HR & QEM Vietnam, Svenja Clausen, Country Manager Vietnam, and Claus Nicholas Garbers, Managing Director Southeast Asia.

“We are extremely proud to participate in this program and supporting the afforestation of mangroves in the precious Mekong Delta. Mangroves help to build up land, provide nurseries for fish, crabs, birds and many other animals, they buffer the coast and protect it from wave action and stormsand. It was an amazing experience for me to be part of this exemplary re-forestation program”, said Svenja Clausen.

Claus Nicholas Garbers added: “I very much liked the idea to involve local school classes in this re-forestation activity. By educating young people about environmental protection and the important role of mangroves we contribute to a population with much more understanding for a cleaner and environmentally friendly country.”

During a Launching Ceremony of Reforestation in the Tra Vinh Province Hapag-Lloyd was handed over a trophy by the Ministry of Forestry. Deputy Chief Đoàn Văn Minh said: “The support of Hapag-Lloyd is highly appreciated. We always remember that mangroves save us, so we need to save mangroves.”

With its activity in the Tra Vinh Province area Hapag-Lloyd is contributing to a program to re-forest 30,000 hectares of mangroves in the Mekong Delta. More information can be found at https://manglubvietnam.wixsite.com/seedtoship

Claus Nicolas Garbers, Managing Director Area South East Asia, planting mangroves
Claus Nicolas Garbers (left), Managing Director Area South East Asia, took also part in the mangrove reforestation program in Vietnam

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