A Breakthrough Needed in Shipbuilding Industry

Vietnam’s State President Tran Duc Luong has expressed his hope that shipbuilding would become a major industry, raise its standard, and actively take part in national industrialisation and modernisation.Speaking at the Ben Kien Shipyard in the northern port city of Haiphong, he stressed importance of enhancing cooperation among ship owners and training and research agencies in order to advance development and competitiveness of Vietnam's shipbuilding industry. He specifically referred to building large cargo ships, container carriers, and tankers.

Since the global demand for marine transport has increased substantially, a number of international ship owners have recently shown interest in Vietnam's shipbuilding products. This has posed not only favourable opportunities but also great challenges to Vietnam's shipbuilding industry. Shipyards will have to embrace new technologies and adjust their practices in line with current trends in building large vessels.