Making the dream of venturing out to sea a reality.

(Baonghean) - With strong determination and the support of various levels and sectors, fisherman Nguyen Quoc Trong boldly borrowed over 11 billion VND to build a new 650 HP steel-hulled fishing vessel. This is a welcome sign in the restructuring of the fisheries sector towards offshore fishing, increasing value and protecting the sovereignty of the country's seas and islands.

The first iron-hulled ship

On the morning of March 9th, the family of Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trong (Tu Lap hamlet, Nghi Quang commune, Nghi Loc district) joyfully welcomed their new vessel. This is the first steel-hulled fishing vessel in Nghe An province, handed over to local fishermen by the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC) (this unit is currently completing 9 other steel-hulled fishing vessels for fishermen in Nghe An).

The vessel is part of the government's policy to support offshore fishermen in the restructuring of the fisheries sector towards increasing added value and sustainable development. This policy will support fishermen building steel-hulled vessels by providing loans covering 90% of the total value of the vessel over 10 years, with an interest rate of only 3% per year. Borrowers will mortgage the vessel and receive insurance; in case of risks, the State will have special support policies to help fishermen feel secure and continue to go out to sea.

The first steel-hulled fishing vessel in Nghe An province, owned by Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trong.

According to the design, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trong's V018 fishing vessel can accommodate 20 crew members for extended periods. The vessel is equipped with a 650HP main engine, four generators, a magnetic compass, a GPS system, a fish finder/depth sounder, and various radio equipment. Due to its specialization in squid fishing, the vessel is fitted with a calling light system consisting of 140 high-pressure mercury lamps (1000W each), a hydraulic winch system, and a system of arms and handles for catching squid.

After 5 months of construction, under the supervision of the Fisheries Registration Center of the General Department of Fisheries, the V018 No. 1 steel-hulled squid fishing prototype vessel has been completed, meeting technical requirements, ensuring quality, and suitable for fishing needs as well as the traditional seafaring experience of local fishermen.

The vessel was designed by Vietnam Shipbuilding Engineering Joint Stock Company (SBIC) with some modifications to suit the fishing practices of fishermen in Nghi Quang commune, Nghi Loc district. During construction, SBIC applied the most advanced shipbuilding technology. The vessel's components were machined according to the blueprints and cut using automated CNC machines, ensuring fast construction progress and high accuracy.

Mr. Trong's ownership of a steel-hulled fishing vessel is a welcome sign in the trend of modernizing the fishing fleet to help fishermen venture further out to sea, contributing to economic development while protecting the sovereignty of the nation's maritime territories.

Mr. Chu Quoc Nam, Deputy Head of the Fisheries Exploitation and Protection Sub-Department, said: Along with the State's support policies, the proactive and bold approach of fishermen in building new large-capacity vessels, especially steel-hulled vessels, is highly commendable and worthy of praise.

Currently, the province is implementing Government Decree 67 on fisheries development policy, which includes a credit support policy for fishermen when borrowing capital to build new offshore fishing vessels. As of February 6th, the Provincial People's Committee had approved loans for 66 eligible ship owners to build new offshore fishing vessels. These include 32 wooden-hulled vessels, 1 composite-hulled vessel, and 33 steel-hulled vessels.

Turn your dreams into reality.

Owning the province's first steel-hulled fishing vessel was a dream he had cherished for many years. Born into a family with a long tradition of seafaring, he followed his father out to sea to fish from a young age. Therefore, the sea could be considered his friend, his second home. Growing up, he worked for many ship owners across the seas from the Gulf of Tonkin to Quang Binh. Ship owners and fellow crew members all regarded him as an excellent captain, sharp-witted and adept at handling situations. After leaving one ship, he was always invited to captain another. But no one knew that every time he returned from sea, Mr. Trong longed to own his own ship so he could go out to sea and fish.

The cockpit is designed to be spacious and equipped with various devices such as a compass, GPS system, and radio equipment.

His long-held aspiration has been supported by his wife, children, and parents. Unfortunately, building a large, offshore fishing vessel requires a capital investment of 4-5 billion VND. Even years of saving, borrowing from banks and friends wouldn't be enough. Fortunately for Mr. Trong, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued the "Restructuring Plan for the Fisheries Sector towards Increasing Added Value and Sustainable Development."

In addition, the government has issued a policy to support offshore fishermen, including a loan covering 90% of the total value of the steel-hulled vessel over 10 years, with an interest rate of only 3% per year. Seizing this opportunity, Mr. Trong applied and received approval. The total value of the vessel is 11 billion VND, of which he contributed 3 billion VND, with the remainder financed through a preferential loan. He also purchased a new engine system from Japan worth 2 billion VND.

Sharing his reasons for choosing a steel-hulled vessel to start his business, Mr. Trong said: “In recent years, the weather at sea has been extremely complex. Although wooden-hulled vessels are familiar to fishermen, their safety is not high. With a determination to make a breakthrough, I boldly participated in the project to build a steel-hulled vessel. Although the cost of building the vessel is much higher than building a traditional wooden vessel, using a steel hull will be safer and more sustainable. With proper maintenance, this vessel will last for 20 years. Furthermore, Mr. Trong is determined that with a steel-hulled vessel, he can venture further out to sea, to vast fishing grounds like Hoang Sa and Truong Sa, both developing the economy and participating with other fleets in protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's seas and islands.”

On March 11th, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Trong and his crew prepared all the necessary supplies and set sail for a 10-day voyage, hoping for a hold full of fish and squid...

Pham Bang