Vietnam receives first fisheries surveillance ship from Japan

One of six fisheries surveillance ships donated by Japan has been handed over to Vietnam, realizing Tokyo's commitment to support Hanoi in ensuring law enforcement at sea.

The Hayato has a displacement of more than 1,000 tons. Photo: Marinetraffic

The Japan International Cooperation System (JICS) today handed over the ship Hayato to Vietnam at Hong Ha Shipyard, Hai Phong, VNA reported.

After being repaired and equipped with appropriate equipment, the Hayato will be used for the purpose of patrolling, controlling and enforcing fisheries laws at sea. The Hayato is over 56 m long, 9 m wide, with a total capacity of nearly 500 tons and a total tonnage of over 1,000 tons.

The ship was handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is in charge of the Fisheries Surveillance Department - the agency tasked with ensuring the safety of fishermen and enforcing the law in Vietnam's waters.

This is the first of six ships donated by Japan to Vietnam under a non-refundable aid package worth 500 million yen in fiscal 2014 to help Vietnam ensure maritime security. JICS will deliver two more ships this year.

Mr. Vu Van Tam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, affirmed that Vietnam will use the ship effectively and for the right purpose as committed between the two countries.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida announced in early August last year when visiting Hanoi that Tokyo would provide six ships and equipment to help Vietnam improve its capacity to enforce maritime law. Japan and Vietnam also agreed that the spirit of respect for the law at sea is indispensable in ensuring peace and stability in maritime areas, including the East Sea and the East China Sea.

In the East Sea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei all have disputes with China. In the East China Sea, China also has a dispute with Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, which are administered by Tokyo. Many countries have criticized China's use of force to force related countries to recognize its unreasonable claims, and have requested that it stop causing tension./.

According to VNE