Vinashin Starts Running US$2 Bln North-South Sea Route

Vinashin Ocean Shipping Co. Ltd (Vinashinlines), an affiliate of Vinashin Business Group, December 13 officially put into operation its US$2 billion passenger vessel on the north-south sea route, local newspaper reported.

 

Vinashinlines expected the route will tap the country's huge transportation demand especially during the upcoming Lunar New Year 2008 and reduce the loading of road and railway systems.

 

The EUR60 million Hoa Sen ship, bought from Italia, constructed in accordance with European standards is connected with internet and has a top ground to house helicopters, said captain Nguyen Dinh Son.

 

The 7,500-DWT vessel is measured at 186 meters in length, 25.6 meters in width, 6.5 meters in height, Nguyen Dinh Son noted, adding that it can travel at average speed at 21 nautical miles per hour.

 

It takes 48 hours for Hoa Sen to travel from Ha Long port in northern Quang Ninh province to Chan May port in central Thua Thien Hue province to Nha Rong port in southern Ho Chi Minh city, including eight hours resting in Chan May port. Hoa Sen's seven storeys can accommodate 153 container vehicles of 40 feet, 100 cars and 630 passengers.  

 

Vinashinelines plans to purchase six other vessels of this type from now to 2012 and reduce the time to 24 hours per trip. (Labor)