Vinalines Runs 50,530-DWT Oil Tanker

On November 30 in Quang Ninh Province, Vinalines Sea Transport Company under Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) received and put into operation the 50,530 DWT oil products and chemical tanker called Vinalines Galaxy.

 

Vinalines Galaxy was built in South Korea in February 2007, with specifications meeting the quality standard, normative requirements, and the latest international conventions. The ship is 183 metres long, 32.2 metres wide, and has side height of 19.1 metres and capacity of 54,000 cubic metres. The ship can reach 15 nautical miles per hour.

 

Mr Nguyen Van Hanh, Director of Vinalines Sea Transport Company, said that Vinalines Galaxy is the second such oil and chemical product carrier, having the same capacity and size with Vinalines Glory built in South Korea in November of 2006. Vinalines received Vinalines Glory on 25 July, 2007. The investment in two of the most modern oil tankers has not only raised transport capacity and improved the fleet, but it is also in line with the fleet development orientation of Vinalines. At the same time, the operation of these oil tankers has helped improve the management and operation ability of onshore managing officials as well as officers and boatmen, creating more jobs for workers and bringing more foreign currency into the country.

 

Mr Mai Van Phuc, Vinalines General Director, said that under the development plan of Vinalines for 2006-2010 and orientation to 2020 approved by the Prime Minster under Decision No.1366/QD - TTg dated 18 October 2006, Vinalines will increase the number of dedicated ships and tankers, including large-sized containers, oil tankers and cargo vessels. By 2010, Vinalines will expand total fleet capacity to 2.6 million DWT, and average ship age of 16 years. From 2010 - 2020, Vinalines will continue improving, modernising and restructuring its fleet, the capacity of which accounts for 40 to 50 per cent of national fleet capacity.

 

By the end of this year, Vinalines is expected to operate 134 ships, with total capacity of nearly 2.4 million DWT. It will try to finish the 2006- 2010 plan for fleet development to total capacity of nearly 2.6 million tonnes within the period.