Vietnamese Government News

Health authorities in the southern Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh want to stop a Bahamas-flagged cruise ship with Italians on board from docking at the economic hub on Friday over coronavirus concerns, state media reported.The Health Department on Thursday advised the People's Committee of the city not to allow passengers on the cruise liner, Silver Spirit, to disembark, the Tuoi Tre newspaper said.The department said the move is aimed at "limiting the intrusion of disease into the city"…

Danish manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems has developed a customized solution for a 50 MW intertidal project in Bạc Liêu Province, Vietnam for the local EPC construction company Bac Phuong JSC, using onshore wind technologies to harvest wind resources from the sea.The intertidal project site is covered in water at high tide and some of the turbines will be uncovered at low tide, said a press note from the sustainable energy solutions provider.Working closely with the customer to overcome the complex operation of planning and executing an intertidal project, Vestas will supervise the installation of the turbines in shallow waters close…

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has announced that its joint venture company Haiphong International Container Terminal held an opening ceremony for the new Haiphong International Container Terminal (HICT) at Lach Huyen Port, Vietnam on May 13. HICT is the first terminal in Northern Vietnam with a berth deep enough to allow calls by 14,000TEU containerships. It will meet customer demands for shorter transit times and lower transport costs, while contributing to economic growth in Northern Vietnam, including Haiphong industrial park, since large-size container vessels, which offer direct links to Asia and North America/Europe, can call at the port.

In keeping with their reputation as a nation that can overcome all obstacles, Vietnam is rebuilding its aging fishing fleet. With a government program of soft loans, designated Decree 67/ND-CP, fishermen are building boats along 28 coastal provinces from the north to the south of Vietnam. Capt. Trinh Van Hung, grew up in a fishing family and, after completing his schooling, he fished briefly with his father. His curiosity took him into business as a trader but the call of the sea was strong. At 25, he returned to the fishing.

On October 29, 2015 Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT) received the maiden call of the 14,000 TEU m/v CSCL Star, the ultra large container vessel (ULCV) of 157,000 DWT, deployed in the Ocean 3 Alliance, marking the first Vietnam/Northern Europe direct service. Notably, within the last week, two feeder services have also started to call at CMIT to connect both the local Vietnamese export cargo and the international export cargo from Thailand and Cambodia, all transshipped through CMIT.

The Vietnamese government is considering implementing a new decree that would require shipping companies to publicize their freight tariffs (including surcharges and commissions paid to brokers). Several foreign logistics companies have expressed concern about the proposal. According to the government, the decree is intended as a tool to protect importers and exporters. A recent government audit revealed that many shipping lines operating in Vietnam impose an average of 70 kinds of surcharges, many of which are “unclear” and/or unreasonably high. Key areas of concern were in terminal handling charges, container clearance, and maintenance. Vietnam is currently accepting opinions from the public about the possible implementation of the new decree.

The state-run China Daily says that India's plans to conduct oil exploration off Vietnam coast in the South China Sea is "illegal and is an "unwise move" that may "sabotage" positive momentum in ties. "India's intention to once again explore for oil in the disputed waters of the South China Sea is an unwise move, as it will further complicate the maritime disputes and do a disservice to maintaining the positive momentum that has been achieved in China-India ties," the China Daily said in an editorial. Titled 'India should rethink its oil exploration plans', the editorial said according to reports India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation plans to restart exploration activities in the waters off Vietnam's coastline which are "also claimed by China".

The port of Ho ChiMinh City is expected to lead the way in terms of tonnage throughput handled in 2015. The port of Da Nang, however, is expected to outperform the larger Ho Chi Minh City port in terms of box sphere growth (10% compared to 8% respectively), says a recent report from Business Monitor International. In terms of the wider economy, BMI expect strong foreign direct investment (FDI), healthy export growth and ongoing efforts by the government to improve macroeconomic fundamentals to keep the Vietnamese economy growing strongly. This will all bode well for the Vietnamese shipping industry going forward. Real GDP growth is set to accelerate to 6.4% in 2015, from 6.0% in 2014.

China's top diplomat will visit Vietnam next week, China said on Friday, five months after he last visited during a period of tension over a Chinese oil drilling rig working in part of the South China Sea both countries claim. State Councillor Yang Jiechi, who outranks the foreign minister, will arrive in Vietnam on Monday for meetings with Vietnam Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, China's foreign ministry said in a statement. The two would discuss "Sino-Vietnam bilateral cooperation", the ministry said. It did not elaborate.

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd (MES) and UBI Tower Sole Member Limited (UBI Tower) established the joint venture company named MES-UBI Heavy Industries Company Limited (MES-UBI) which manufactures the pressure vessels installed in the refinery and petrochemical plants with obtaining the Vietnamese government approval dated at April 23, 2014, then MES-UBI started the operation from the beginning of August 2014. On August 1, 2014 in Hanoi, MES-UBI organized the opening ceremony to cerebrate the operation start, inviting the Japanese embassy in Vietnam, Ministry of Investment and Trading in Vietnam, Hai Duong People’s committee and more than 60 companies as the guests.

China, involved in a growing dispute with its neighbours over the energy-rich South China Sea, wants to promote peaceful development of the oceans, Premier Li Keqiang said, warning conflicts in the past had only brought "disaster for humanity". China claims almost the entire ocean, rejecting rival claims to parts of it from Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei in one of Asia's most intractable disputes and a possible flashpoint. It also has a long-running dispute with Japan in the East China Sea. "China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and firmly oppose any act of hegemony in maritime affairs," Li said at a maritime summit in Greece on Friday in comments carried by China's Foreign Ministry website on Saturday.

Vietnam says will "resolutely defend its sovereignty." China says Vietnam making "irresponsible accusations" against it; Philippines submitted arbitration case against China in March. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said his government was considering various "defence options" against China, including legal action, following the deployment of a Chinese oil rig to waters in the South China Sea that Hanoi also claims. Dung's comments, given in a written response to questions from Reuters, were the first time he has suggested Vietnam would take legal measures, and drew an angry response from China, which insisted the rig was in its sovereign waters.

As a thousand Vietnamese rioters stormed his factory on Tuesday night, smashing windows and ripping down Chinese-language signs, Taiwanese executive Henry Yeh hid with a colleague in the back of a fire truck, clutching the only weapon he could find: a golf club. "With that many people surrounding us, it was useless. I was afraid they would kill us," said Yeh, 27, who works for a Taiwan textile company at an industrial park in the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City. Yeh and his colleague eventually escaped unscathed. Others were not so fortunate. What started as heated but peaceful nationwide protests against Chinese oil-drilling in a patch of the South China Sea claimed by Vietnam exploded into two days of rioting that left hundreds of Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean factories damaged or destroyed.

China 's Actions in Maritime Disputes with its neighbors in the South China Sea are straining U.S.- China relations and raise Questions on WHETHER Washington can work together with Beijing in Asia and on Bilateral issues, a Senior U.S. official said on Thursday. Close Washington is in contact with the Vietnamese Government on "How to manage MOST Effectively" Hanoi 's STANDOFF with Beijing after China TOWED an Oil RIG into Seas claimed by both Countries, the Official told Reuters. Vice President Joe Biden and Other Top U.S. Officials told visiting Chinese General Fang Fenghui , Chief of the general staff of China's army , that Beijing 's behavior in the Maritime Disputes was "Dangerous and Provocative" and must stop, the Official Said.

Austal announce new strategic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region to enhance its support to the US Navy & others in the region. Following on from the strategic partnership with Singapore’s Sembawang Shipyard Pte Ltd announced in January 2013, Austal has now secured similar agreements with Unithai Shipyard and Engineering located within Thailand's main international deep-sea port of Laem Chabang, and with the Cam Ranh Shipyard in Vietnam. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew…

According to a report from Radio Free Asia, nine senior officials at Vietnamese government-run shipbuilding firm, Vinashin, which now owes debts of $4.5b, are accused by authorities of deliberately abusing their positions for financial gain, the country’s official media reported. The charges against the executives can carry up to 12 years in prison.   Source: Radio Free Asia

According to a report from Bloomberg, Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group sold four newly-built ships worth almost $110m, as the Vietnamese government tries to restructure and stabilize the state-owned company that almost went bankrupt due to losses. The shipbuilder, also known as Vinashin, is trying to complete ongoing ship-building projects. (Source: Bloomberg)

state shipbuilder Vietnam Ship Industry Corporation (Vinashin). Graig's long standing experience with building high quality ships in China. Graig. with procurement, with finance and with all important quality control. Vietnam can provide them with high quality tonnage. significantly enhancing safety and environmental protection. Delivery date for the first Vinashin vessels is January 2006. Namtrieu Shipbuilding Industry Company in Haiphong. largest and most sophisticated vessels yet built in Vietnam. another substantial shipbuilding centre," says Williams. with the full support of the Vietnamese government. discussion. discussions with charterers. company based in Shanghai. Bulk Carrier with full Nauticus package including a full 3-D model. is scheduled for delivery this year.

At a ceremony in Hanoi on November 8, 2004, a "Licence and Co-operation Agreement" was signed by Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (Vinashin) and MAN B&W Diesel A/S, Denmark. The new agreement, which was signed by Vinashin Chairman & C.E.O. Mr Pham Thanh Binh and MAN B&W Executive Vice President Dr Peter Sunn Pedersen at a televised ceremony in Hanoi, will provide Vinashin with technology and support for the production of MAN B&W two-stroke diesel engines for the growing Vietnamese shipbuilding industry. The agreement is a logical consequence of the Vietnamese government's decision to build up the country's shipbuilding industry, which has already manifested itself in an impressive inflow of orders from Vietnamese and foreign owners.

It is being reported that the Vietnamese government has given approval in principle for STX Shipbuilding Co. Ltd of South Korean, to build a $500m shipyard covering 300 hectares in the Van Phong Economic Zone in Vietnam. Vietnam is keen to progress shipbuilding as a national champion and this is the latest development towards her goal of becoming a world-class shipbuilder to rival other countries such as China, South Korea and Japan. Although there are 'certain formalities' to go through before final approval, it is almost certain that there are just purely formalities and the construction of the new shipyard will go ahead, as Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has instructed state agencies 'to help' the company with them.