Vietnamese get Japanese order

A Vietnamese shipbuilding company has won a $17 million contract to build two 8,700 tonne freighters for Tokyo-based Kanematsu Corporation, one of Japan?s leading general trading firms.

The Ben Kien Shipyard, based in northern port city of Hai Phong and a subsidiary of state-owned Vinashin, is scheduled to deliver the first freighter to the Japanese group in May next year. The second vessel will be delivered two months later. According to the deal, Kanematsu Corporation will provide main engines and major equipments for the ships, while Ben Kien Shipyard and several Vinashin members will supply other equipments and materials.