According to a recent survey conducted by the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, up to 10 local fishermen intend to build new steel-hulled fishing vessels in the near future.

Over recent days, the Da Nang-based Bao Duy Oil Spill Response and Marine Service Joint Stock Company has been focussing on upgrading its machinery for building more steel-hulled fishing boats.  The company’s General Director, engineer Tran Cong Vinh, said that his company has purchased a CNC shearing machine, an iron-bending machine and a lathe, all incorporating technology used in the USA, Japan, South Korea and other countries across the world.  The company’s shipyard is now able to build 6 of these boats at any one time, and Director Vinh is confident about the process because his engineers and workers have 10 to 20 years’ experience of building steel-hulled fishing boats.  The majority of them came from the Da Nang Boat Building Company, and currently several of the engineers are attending training courses in shipbuilding in Japan.

A 1,000 CV fishing boat ready for launching

Da Nang is now home to 6 shipyards, with 4 of them able to build steel-hulled fishing boats.  Most notably, around 30 per year are built by the Song Thu Shipyard Company.

Director Vinh remarked that the operation of steel-hulled and wooden-hulled fishing boats is similar, and it is essential to ensure the efficiency of the seafood catching and preserving technology.  He also recommended that steel-hulled fishing boats which weigh between 300 and 400 tonnes should be equipped with more advanced equipment.  In particular, it is a good idea to use cranes to pull in the loaded fishing nets to reduce the need for manual labour.

According to a draft decree concerning fisheries development policy which was recently approved by the central government, Vietnamese fishermen can borrow between 85% and 95% of the total value of a boat, including steel-hulled ones, depending on the type of boat.   This information has been announced by the Director of the city’s branch of the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV), Mr Vo Minh.  In addition, fishermen will enjoy 70% off insurance premiums for their boats.  Director Minh added that his unit is waiting for official guidance from the SBV about the decree.

If the city develops a fleet of steel-hulled fishing boats, the amount of seafood caught is expected to increase multifold, and there is a danger that prices will plummet.  In view of this possibility, one local fisherman asked the local relevant agencies to help local fishermen seek new markets.  In addition, he said, appeals should be made to local businesses to buy locally caught seafood in future.