Binh Dinh (VNA) – The People’s Committee of Hoai Nhon district, the central province of BinhDinh on February 14 received eight fishing ships with steel cover at a ceremonywhich saw the participation of more than 200 local seamen.

The move comes in response to Government’s Decree No 67/2014/NĐ-CP on off-shorefishing development policies.

Decree 67, which came into effect in August 2014, stipulates policies oninvestment, credit, insurance and tax incentives in support of fishermen andship owners who wish to build new fishing boats, upgrade existing boats and buyfishing and marine equipment, among others.

Under the decree, in case of building steel or new-material ships with totalmain engine capacity of between 400CV and under 800CV each, ship owners mayborrow loans from commercial banks not exceeding 90 percent of total investmentin the shipbuilding at the interest rate of 7 percent per year, of which shipowners are required to pay 2 percent per year and the State budget shallsubsidise 5 percent per year.

The lending term is 11 years. In the first year, ship owners will be exemptfrom interest payment and not be required to pay the principle. The Statebudget will pay commercial banks the loan interest for ship owners eligible forexemption.

The fishing ships were made by Viet Tien Co Ltd in the northern province of NamDinh. The ships were handed over to eight local seamen who all hail from HoaiNhon district.

Each fishing ship has a capacity of 822CV, is 30.8m in length and 7.5m inwidth.
The ship, worth 17.5 billion VND (777,000 USD), has a fire prevention andcontrol system, radar, global positioning system, digital map and storagesystem to preserve fish.

Ngo Van Chi, one of the seamen receiving the fishing ship, said local seamen arehappy to own a steel covered fishing ship.

“With these fishing ships, the seamen will try to catch more seafood, limitaccidents on sea and join hands in protecting the country’s sovereignty,” hesaid.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Chi Cong, Vice Chairman of the Hoai Nhon districtPeople’s Committee, reminded local seamen to use the fishing ships effectively.

“The fishing ship has an important meaning. It not only does help seamen dotheir work, but also enhances their capacity to catch marine animals, improveshouseholds’ living standards and helps protecting the country’s sovereignty,” hesaid.

While implementing Decree 67, the Binh Dinh People’s Committee gave itsapproval for seamen in Hoai Nhon district to make 140 new fishing ships, ofwhich 72 will be steel covered, 12 will be composite covered and 56 will bewood covered.

As many as 17 fishing ships were handed over to the seamen.-VNA