Viet Nams largest vessel repaired after launch

The newly launched ?Florence?, a Diamond 53 type bulkers and the largest vessel ever built in Vietnam, leaked water hours after its launch last week.

Engineers from Ha Long shipyard, a subsidiary of state-owned shipbuilding giant Vinashin, said water leaked through the outer hull of the ship, flooding part of No.4 hold. The leak has now been successful fixed and, according to experts, the most likely reason for the hold suffering damage was that the 53,000 dwt vessel slipped off the launching tracks as it was sliding into the water, causing cables to break. The ship hit rocks on the seabed at a depth of 8 metres, resulting in the hull being punctured.

More than 20 shipyard workers were immediately mobilised to pump water out of the hold and divers worked underwater to fix the break.

The ship is the first of 21 bulk carriers Vinashin contracted with the British Graig Investment at a total cost of over $400 million. The cost of the repairs to the ship has yet to be determined but the vessel has a fully contracted insurance package.