VietNamNet Bridge – The ship model test basin, once expected to be the largest one in Asia, and one of the biggest technology projects developed by Vinashin, has been shelved because of tmmismanagement.

Vinashin, the national flag shipbuilder, once cherished the dream of putting Asia's largest  model test basin in operation in 2013.

In August 2009, the ship model testing basin project, a project within the framework of the national key laboratory program, kicked off in the Lang – Hoa Lac High Technology Park in Hanoi. The project had estimated investment capital of VND1.5 trillion sourced from Polish ODA capital (official development assistance).

In the same year, 130 containers of machines and equipment were imported to Vietnam to serve project implementation.

Vinashin, called the “person in the lead” of the shipbuilding industry, was determined to build a large modest testing basin, even larger and more modern than the basin owned by other powerful shipbuilders such as Japan, South Korea and China.

The project, as noted by analysts, would play a very important role in the development of the shipbuilding, which Vietnam planned to develop into a key industry.

The project was designed to comprise towing tanks with a speed of up to 10 meters per second, an outdoor model testing basin, one hydrodynamic cavitation tunnel, and one aerodynamic cavitation tunnel. There would also be an experimental model creation workshop, floating works and oil rigs, and coastal industrial works.

The partner of Vinashin in the project was CENZIN/CTO, a Polish group.

However, the project has had no progress except for the import of machine containers, including OOG ones (out of gauge), which have been left at the Hai Phong Port for years.

According to Lai Huy Thien, chief of the secretariat of the Vietnam Maritime University, the project, including 130 containers of equipment, has been transferred to the school.

Thien confirmed that the school has received a design profile made by the Polish partner and a report on the project investment. The geological exploration work was completed in Den Hamlet of Lam Dong Commune in Hai Phong City.

The General Department of Customs has agreed on the relocation of the import equipment from the port to the school yard.

However, there is still no plan to relocate the two OOG containers at the Hai Phong port, because the size and the weight of the containers have not been calculated.

When asked about the quality of the equipment, Thien said the school received the containers with equipment inside, and does not know about the quality of the equipment.

Dat Viet