Feature 1
Class bridges the gap
Class is proving pivotal to the ambitious plans to develop Vietnamese
shipbuilding, where Vinashin (Vietnam Shipbuilding Corp) signed its first
export contract as recently as 2000.
S
peaking of Vinashin’s breakthrough
international order to build a long
series of ‘Diamond’ class double
hull bulk carriers to Graig Shipping, Pham
Thu Hang, Vinashin director of business
and international relations, said she was
proud of what has been achieved so far,
adding that she was also grateful to those
that have cooperated with the company.
She said: ‘We, as a new shipbuilding
group with limited experience, have been
eager to learn all the way through from
before the keel laying to after delivery.
Graig Shipping has been patient, and our
collaboration has been good, despite the
original plans having to be postponed and
this being our most challenging project to
date, both in size and complexity.
‘The third pillar in this model of
cooperation has been Class – and in Florence – built to DNV class.
particular DNV.’
DNV said its share of the orderbook
for Vietnamese-built ships now stood at Head of the DNV Academy Vietnam, A key element of the new agreement is a
in excess of 70%. George McHenry, said: ‘The long-term programme that will be instituted by ABS
DNV is also classing the initial eight objective is to support the development of to train and qualify VR surveyors to ABS
4900 unit pure car and truck carriers the ship newbuilding industry in Vietnam standards.
scheduled for delivery by Ha Long to ensure that its products satisfy the
Shipbuilding Co to Ray Car Carriers, requirements of international rules and International contracts
and the initial four larger PCTCs due standards. To achieve such an objective, At the time of the agreement, Christopher J
delivery from the Nam Trieu yard to we must deliver high quality training Wiernicki, ABS president, said: ‘Vietnam’s
Höegh Autoliners. programmes for Vinashin. At the same shipping and shipbuilding industries are
time, we also have to do internal DNV expanding rapidly with a specific focus
Qualification counts training.’ on international contracts. The Vietnam
As well as expanding facilities themselves, Class NK has been busily transferring Register has a great deal of experience
achieving its end will require a sharp know-how into Vietnam for a number of with smaller, coastal ships and some
increase in the number of qualified people years, focusing on smaller tonnage and, offshore installations, but the changing
working at Vinashin. ‘Money you can with demand particularly high for coastal nature of the nation’s shipping industry
borrow – pretty fast, but people have to tankers among Japanese owners, there is means they must now expand their
have qualifications and work experience every prospect that this trend will continue. horizons and capabilities. This agreement
– both of which take time,’ said Nguyen Meanwhile, ABS signed an expanded will allow ABS to assist them in meeting
Duc Than, general director of Ha Long agreement of cooperation with Vietnam that challenge while, at the same time,
Shipbuilding Co. Register (VR) covering the provision of a giving us greater access to the expanding
Mr Than said the shipyard had been wide range of classification and statutory Vietnamese market.’
working across a range of projects with certification services in 2007. The two ABS has also been making inroads in
DNV, but also Germanischer Lloyd and societies had been operating under a more Vietnam this year. Its current ‘request
Class NK in a ‘step by step approach limited cooperative agreement, originally for class’ list includes one 105,000dwt
to gain experience and work through signed in 1994 and subsequently amended Aframax tanker and one 115,000dwt
problems.’ in 1999. Aframax tanker under construction at
The Naval Architect January 2008 37
NA Jan - p37+39.indd 37 07/01/2008 14:30:05
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