Japan Coast Guard’s Settsu patrol boat, carrying a crew of 52, led by its captain Niwa Satoshi, docked at the Tien Sa Port on Monday morning.

The Settsu ship docked at the Tien Sa Port. Photo: LE HUNG

The visit is part of a series of practical cooperation activities to celebrate the 50^th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam-Japan diplomatic ties, the 75^th founding anniversary of the Japan Coast Guard, and the 25^th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam Coast Guard.

In attendance at the ceremony held at the port to welcome Japanese crew members were representatives of the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, the High Command of the Viet Nam Coast Guard, the Military Zone 5 High Command, the city’s Border Guard Command, the local Military High Command, and relevant agencies.

A welcome ceremony for Japan Coast Guard’s Settsu patrol boat held at the Tien Sa Port on Monday morning

The 105.4m-long, 14.6m-wide and 29m-high Settsu has a displacement of 3,304 tonnes and a maximum velocity of up to 18 nautical miles per hour.

This is the first visit to Viet Nam made by a ship under the Japan Coast Guard in 2023.

During their stay to Da Nang, the delegation of Japanese crew members will pay courtesy visits to the leaders of the municipal People's Committee, the High Command of the Viet Nam Coast Guard, and the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of Zone II.

Also, the Japanese naval officers and sailors will take part in exchange activities with their colleagues from the Viet Nam Coast Guard Zone 2, aiming at enhancing coordination between the Japan Coast Guard and the Viet Nam Coast Guard.

The ongoing visit by Settsu provides a good opportunity for the coast guard forces of the two countries to exchange their experience in law enforcement at sea as well as to boost their cooperation and mutual understanding. This is expected to contribute to deepening the friendship between Viet Nam and Japan, as well as maintaining and consolidating the free and open maritime order based on respect for international law in the Indian Ocean region.

Reporting by LE HUNG - Translating by M.DUNG