VINASHIN invested to build 4,000-DWT Binh Dinh Star Ship for Binh Dinh Maritime-Shipbuilding Industry Joint-stock Co.(BIMARSHIN). The ship has been exploited efficiently.

* Could you please let us know what investment projects of VINASHIN to be implemented in Binh Dinh?

- VINASHIN had carried out many feasibility studies in Binh Dinh Province since 1996. In early 2002, we officially discussed with Binh Dinh leaders on some investment projects. In 2005, VINASHIN signed with Binh Dinh Province People’s Committee 5 agreements of investment projects into Binh Dinh Province. They include “Investment in building a shipyard”, “Investment in building multi-functional Nhon Hoi Port”, “Investment in building Nhon Hoi Gasoline Port”, “Investment in building residential apartments for Nhon Hoi staff and experts” and “Investment in establishing multimodal maritime ship fleets in the Central Vietnam”.

We now finish our studies of the first project and construction of the shipyard is going to start this year. Modern technology will be applied so that the shipyard will be capable of building 50,000-ton ships and repairing 100,000-ton ships. It  will employ 2,000 workers when the first stage is over.  Previously, VINASHIN invested to build the 4,000-DWT Binh Dinh Star Ship for BIMARSHIN. The ship has been put under smooth operation then. VINASHIN gives its approval to other BIMARSHIN’s investment projects of building 5 new ships: 2 ships of 4,000 DWT capacity, 2 ships of 6,800 DWT capacity and 1 ship of 15,000 DWT capacity. Building of the two 4,000-DWT ships and the two 6,800-DWT ships started in 2006 at Ben Thuy and Phu Yen shipyards. The 15,000-DWT ship will be built at Nam Trieu Maritime-Shipbuilding Industry Co. (in Hai Phong Province) in 2007. BIMARSHIN expects to reach its target of 40,000 tons of sea freight by 2009.

On 26^th January 2007, we started construction of 9-storey building of VINASHIN agency in Quy Nhon City. We will open a junior vocational training school in Quy Nhon City soon.

* VINASHIN has invested in many projects nationwide. Is such way of investment efficient? Are projects in Binh Dinh Province feasible?

- VINASHIN has now 10 shipyards of all sizes nationwide. Most of them locate in two provinces of Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and in Ho Chi Minh City. It is now investing to build 3 big shipyards at the Central Vietnam (one in Dung Quat Economic Zone, Quang Ngai Province; one in Nhon Hoi Economic Zone, Binh Dinh Province and the rest one in Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa Province). Many small factories will play subordinating role for the big shipyards. VINASHIN has got so many shipbuilding orders from domestic and international customers that its 10 on-going shipyards are not able to satisfactorily do. Hence, it is very essential for VINASHIN to open more new shipyards and other shipbuilding services in localities who has favourable geographical location and abundant human source. We pledge to carry out our investment projects to Binh Dinh as time schedule.

*Can you please tell us about forthcoming development strategy of VINASHIN ?

- On 15^th May 2006, Vietnamese Government signed an approval to establishment of VINASHIN Corp. as a strong, interdisciplinary key enterprise of Vietnam shipbuilding industry with its multi-ownership, advanced-technology and modern management. VINASHIN specializes in shipbuilding, maritime forwarding, relevant subordinating industries and commercial services. The corporation tries its best to reach target of building 300,000-DWT ships and repairing 400,000-DWT ships by 2010, making Vietnam the 4^th rank among top international shipbuilding industries. Vietnamese Government also allowed VINASHIN to open university and junior vocational colleges nationwide to meet its demand of human resource for the country’s economic growth.

VINASHIN is now employing 50,000 workers and expects to reach USD 3 billion worth of annual turnover by 2010. In order to meet the target, it must  establish more new shipyards and upgrade its on-going shipyards to international standard required.

* Thank you very much, Mr. Vu!

• Interviewed by Cat Hung
• Translated by To Uyen