Vietnam emphasizes cooperation to increase maritime capacity with the US

Vietnam's Foreign Ministry has emphasized the goal of increasing its maritime law enforcement capacity after news emerged that the US is about to transfer a 3,200-ton patrol ship.

US patrol ship to be transferred to Vietnam. Photo: US Navy

"Vietnam and the US have established a Comprehensive Partnership framework, including strengthening cooperation in maritime law enforcement between the two countries' coast guards," said Le Thi Thu Hang, spokeswoman for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today in response to VnExpress's question about the US's plan to transfer a coast guard ship.USCGC Morgenthau for Vietnam.

According to Ms. Hang, cVietnam's policy is to cooperate with other countries to improve law enforcement capacity at sea, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, support for fishermen, and contribute to international cooperation and exchange activities.

The US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Morgenthau was decommissioned on April 18 and is being transferred to Vietnam under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program.Naval Today reported.

USCGC Morgenthau was commissioned by the US Coast Guard in March 1969. It was the eighth Hamilton-class cutter built at the Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans, Louisiana.

USCGC Morgenthau has a full load displacement of 3,250 tons, length of 115 m, width of 13 m, draft of 4.6 m, crew of 160. The ship has a maximum speed of 53.7 km/h, operating range of more than 22,500 km and can operate continuously for 45 days.

According to a report posted on the website of the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), this patrol boat was transferred by the US following a proposal to purchase a boat from Vietnam approved in October 2016.

During the visit to Vietnam2015, BThen-US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter pledged to provide $18 million in aid to help the Vietnam Coast Guard purchase several patrol boats.

According to VNE