VietNamNet Bridge – The number of Vietnamese ships which are seized at foreign ports in the first half of 2012 reduced compared to the same period of 2011. However, the number of ships that were inspected overseas did not decrease, according to the Vietnam Maritime Administration.

“The Vietnamese fleet is still the subject of ‘priority’ for inspection, especially at seaports of China and Indonesia,” said Mr. Do Duc Tien, vice chief of the Vietnam Maritime Administration.

In the first half of 2012, Vietnamese ships were inspected for 434 times at foreign ports, with 30 ships being seized for 457 errors.

Tien said most of the 30 ships that were seized overseas had operated overseas for a long time and they had not returned to Vietnam for check.

The Vietnam Maritime Administration said many Vietnamese ships were seized overseas for technical errors because of prolonged economic crisis that is resulted in difficulties of ship owners.

In addition, Vietnamese ships did not correctly implement the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM Code). Many sailors were not paid salary on time. Consequently, their sense of discipline and working style were affected.

Some ship-owners reported harassment and corruption of officials at some seaports in India, China and Indonesia.

In the first half of this year, 20 water-way accidents happened in Vietnam, including six cases related to foreign ships. Six vessels were sunken.

Compared to the corresponding period of 2011, the number of maritime accidents reduced by 13 cases (20/33). The number of dead victims also decreases by one and the number of missing victims by two.

Vu Diep