The scene of the accident that killed one person and left more than 1,000 tonnes of cement in the sea. — Photo tienphong.vnViet Nam News QUẢNG NINH — One ship captain died after a Vietnamese cement transport vessel crashed into an international ship at about 2am on Monday in Quảng Ninh Province’s Hạ Long Bay, according to the Maritime Administration of Quảng Ninh. The cement ship split into two parts. More than 1,000 tonnes of cement was released into the water, and five people travelling on the ship also fell into the sea. The other vessel, the Daio Southern Cross, which was transporting 21 people from the Philippines in the opposite direction, suffered minor damage. Nguyễn Đức Long, chairman of the Quảng Ninh People’s Committee, asked concerned organisations to search for victims. Four crew members were found safely by about 2.30am; however, captain Nguyễn Văn Thảnh, 32, from the northern … [Read more...] about One dies after ships collide
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South China Sea issues come under the spotlight
Participants take part in a photo session at the 10th South China Sea International Conference on co-operation for regional security and development. — VNS Photo Công Thành Viet Nam News ĐÀ NẴNG — Discussions and forums on the South China Sea (called East Sea by Việt Nam) have become sources of interdisciplinary study among scholars and researchers from the fields of politics, social policy, environment and strategy over the past decade. Director of the diplomatic academy of Việt Nam, Nguyễn Vũ Tùng, spoke at the 10th South China Sea International Conference on co-operation for regional security and development yesterday, stating that over the past 10 years, the conference has attracted the participation of 300 scholars and 2,000 Vietnamese and international participants as well as institutes and universities. “We have built up a network of scholars and experts studying the South China Sea, promoting trust … [Read more...] about South China Sea issues come under the spotlight
10 years on, Việt Nam’s vision of strong sea-based economy faces rows of roadblocks
Fish is carried from boats at Cà Ná Fishing Port in Thuận Nam District, south central province of Ninh Thuận. — VNA/VNS Photo Công Thử Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam is reaping the benefits of a national strategy laid out 10 years ago to garner riches from the country’s long coastline, over 3,000 islands and abundant water areas three times the size of its land mass. In 2007, the 10th Party Central Committee ratified the Việt Nam Maritime Strategy towards 2020. The strategy, and the myriad guidelines, policies and generous investment that have followed it have turbo-charged Việt Nam’s coastal economy, which includes tourism, fisheries, oil and gas, and other sectors reliant on the sea. However, a wide range of challenges stands in the way of the country reaching its primary targets: ensuring the sea-based economy accounts for 53-55 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product … [Read more...] about 10 years on, Việt Nam’s vision of strong sea-based economy faces rows of roadblocks
Vietnam reiterates stance after British, Japanese South China Sea drills
She said at a press conference that Vietnam’s position on freedom of navigation in the East Sea, internationally known as South China Sea, has been consistent. "Vietnam respects the rights to freedom of navigation and overflight of other countries in the East Sea in accordance with international laws, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," she said. Hang also reiterated that Vietnam has full legal basis and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Paracel (Hoang Sa) and Spratly (Truong Sa) Islands in accordance with international laws. She called for other countries to contribute "practically and responsibly" to the maintenance of order, peace and the rule of law in the East Sea. Hang was responding to questions regarding recent activities by the British and Japanese navies in the waters. The British Royal Navy's amphibious warship HMS Albion sailed close to the Paracel Islands on its way to Saigon Port in Ho Chi Minh City … [Read more...] about Vietnam reiterates stance after British, Japanese South China Sea drills
Global shipping in ‘historic’ climate deal
The global shipping industry has for the first time agreed to cut its emissions of greenhouse gases. The move comes after talks all week at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London. Shippings has previously been excluded from climate agreements, but under the deal, emissions will be reduced by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. One minister from a Pacific island state described the agreement as "history in the making". Shipping generates roughly the same quantity of greenhouse gas as Germany and, if it were accounted for as a nation, would rank as the world's sixth biggest emitter. Like aviation, it had been excluded from climate negotiations because it is an international activity while both the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement involved national pledges to reduce greenhouse gases. More than 100 countries are gathered at the International Maritime Organisation meeting. The United States, Saudi Arabia, Brazil and a few other countries had not wanted to … [Read more...] about Global shipping in ‘historic’ climate deal