Vietnam starts on mega shipbuilding complex

Construction of a $281.25 million shipbuilding complex has begun in Yen Hung district, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, Vietnam.

Invested by the Pha Rung Shipyard, a subsidiary of the Vinashin, the complex includes a shipyard, ship repair and auxiliary industrial facilities, and a ship engine manufacturing factory. Once fully operational in 2012, the shipyard will be capable of building 10-16 70,000 DWT vessels each year and can be expanded to build ships of up to 150,000 DWT.

Meanwhile, the ship repair and auxiliary industrial facilities are scheduled to become operational by the end of 2009, providing repair services for 20 to 40 50,000 DWT ships a year.

The ship engine manufacturing factory will also be put into operation in late 2009 and will be capable of an annual output of 40 engines for 175,000 DWT vessels. The complex is expected to boost the industry-service sector in the locality and create employment for between 10,000-15,000 workers.