Coming to military-run Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company, we saw a spacious campus in the atmosphere of busy industrial production activities and among blue uniforms of workers who are eager to start their shift. The yellow crane with handling capacity of 25 tonnes affirms the image of Z173 Factory facing lots of difficulties in the past and brings the impression of a strong Hong Ha on the way toward development.
Pride of Vietnam
Customers and international partners not only admire Hong Ha for its capacity to build big ships, but also its success to build the gunboat named TT400 TP. This is not only the great pride of the company staff, but also the national armed forces.
Seven years ago, when appointed as the director of Z173 Factory, Colonel Nguyen Van Cuong wondered whether to build military vessels domestically with Vietnamese expertise and resources, or to purchase them from other countries; to buy completely new ones or just import materials and hire foreign experts to build; or just buy preliminary designs and then use domestic resources for construction.
Two years later the company proposed buying preliminary designs from abroad and cooperated with the army’s design institute for the construction.
As of April 22, 2009, the company laid down a keel for the ship and the construction was completed in August. The ship was built under a new technology of the world (working on each module and then after that installing all of the modules). This method can save time and ensure higher accuracy for the shipbuilding process. From the traditional shipbuilding method to the module technology is a great stride. It was the factory engineers who used computers for the ship design with priority on different parts. Cadres and engineers of the factory also cooperated with experts from local research institutes in applying advanced software for designing systems three-dimensionally.
Late September this year, the TT400TP ship was officially checked at the wharf of Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company. This is the first gunboat produced by Vietnam. TT400TP will contribute to enhancing the strength of the Vietnamese navy and also mark the country’s achievement for the self-production of gunboat to serve national security and defence, as well as sea-based economy development.
Colonel Nguyen Van Dac, Political Commissar of the factory, said, “Foreign experts were so surprised at the achievement. They highly appreciated Vietnamese people’s ability; particularly the ship reached the absolute accuracy at the first time of experimental operation. We hope that the factory could completely ensure the production of the third gunboat which can integrate weapons systems and equipment.”
Rising to global integration
Entering the global integration era, Hong Ha has seen many opportunities but also challenges such as sharp increases in material prices and fierce competition of rivals. However, with the determination of soldiers, Hong Ha has tried to overcome the difficulties.
At the party congress in 2005, the company decided to raise its status in the world market and try to deeply penetrate the European market.
The firm signed a contract to build six ships of 2,600 DWT for the Netherlands’ Ren Ren Group worth a total US$27 million. After that, Hong Ha inked another US$25-million contract with the Netherlands’ Rensen Seatrde B.V. Under the contract, Hong Ha built four multi-functional ships of 3,500 DWT. The first of these was handed to the partner early 2010. It looks like a five-storey house and is as wide as a three-star hotel, meeting international standards.
Colonel Cuong said, “To enter the demanding markets in Europe, the company has paid attention to raising capacity of staff by sending them to big shipbuilding firms in the UK and Singapore. The contingent of the company’s mechanics, welders and painters are provided with Bureau Veritas practice certificates. The application of advanced technologies such as supporting software for designers (including HCS 3.0 ship hull design software, PCPS 4.0 ship pipe system design software, electricity design software, ventilation and air conditioning), particularly 3D design, have helped raise the company’s product quality and save production costs. This business is one of fierce competition. Companies have to try to affirm their competitiveness through business strategy, revenues and trademarks. Despite facing challenges in the context of global economic downturn, Hong Ha has done its utmost to make remarkable achievements. Soldiers of Hong Ha have affirmed their strength, creating a Hong Ha trademark in the world shipbuilding sector.
During the war, Hong Ha soldiers focused on making bamboo and wooden boats and repairing canoes to serve in the battles of the national armed forces. In peacetime, they try to strengthen national defence and also join social activities such as charity. They have cooperated with organisations and localities in fighting poverty through activities such as supporting schools, building houses for the poor and taking care of Heroic Mothers. Hong Ha was presented with the title “Labour Hero in the reform period” and “First and second grade Labour Medal”. However, with them, the biggest pride is the confidence of the people, partners and a prestigious trademark.
Hoang Tham
Vietnamese
