VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese authorities will not license the import of tourist ships, and floating hotels and restaurants with wooden frames and covers into the country from early January next year.

The ban is stated in the Government’s Decree on the lifespan of vessels used on domestic waterways and imported ships. The decree was issued last week and will come into force on January 5.

The decree clarifies imported passenger ships must be less than 10 years old and other vessels should have been used for no more than 15 years. The import of vessels without clear information about when they are built will not be licensed.

The ages of imported vessels are calculated from the year they were built to the year they are registered for customs clearance for import into Vietnam.

The decree also mentions the lifespan extension of high-speed passenger ships, including hydrofoils.

Ships with expiration before January 5 next year will be permitted to operate until the end of 2016, and those with valid licenses between January 5, 2015 and January 5, 2016 will be allowed to run until the end of 2017.

Ships expiration between January 5, 2016 and January 5, 2017 will be able to operate until the end of 2018. But relevant agencies will not approve those vessels with expiry from January 5, 2017.

Previously, hydrofoil operators in HCMC wrote to the Government and the Ministry of Transport seeking approval to operate their hydrofoils for five more years so that they will have time to cover costs on fixing their ships and invest in new ones.

The decree states that in some special cases, the Government will decide the usage period of vessels for domestic waterways in accordance with proposals by the Ministry of Transport.    

SGT/VNN