Vietnam starts large scale container manufacturing

Vietnam has kick-started its export business with the opening of its first container manufacturing plant - the second biggest of its kind in southeast Asia, according to the official Vietnam News Service.

The plant in the northern province of Hai Duong is expected to provide a yearly capacity of 45,000 TEU and is a joint venture between Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin) and Toong Goen Enterprise (TGC).

Vietnam's ministry of transport says containers business shows a marked dominance of foreign shipping companies, which weakens the competitiveness of the country's exports.

Growth of container business has increased 50 per cent a year with the transportation business reaching US$1 billion.

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Samsung Heavy to Build 4 Rigs

South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries Co, said it has secured new orders worth a total of $2.41b.

The company said it won a $1.15b dollar contract to build two semi-submersible floating drilling rigs by September 2010 for a Russian client. Separately, clients in Africa and in Americas ordered two oil drill ships worth 1.26 billion dollars which will be delivered by May 2011.
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USS Port Royal Visits Jakarta

USS Port Royal Public Affairs Indonesian naval officers stood in formation on the pier and a military band played patriotic songs Dec. 20 as USS Port Royal (CG 73) pushed away from her berth at Tanjung-Priok Port in Jakarta, after a four-day port visit to Indonesia's capital province.

The farewell show as Port Royal pulled away from Jakarta was only a small demonstration compared to the festivities during the first hours of her arrival Dec. 17. As local dignitaries welcomed Adler with flowers and fruit, while traditional dancers, fire-breathers and other performers entertained the crew on the pier.

Indonesia's hospitality did not stop at the pier. Local citizens embraced Port Royal Sailors as they ventured off the ship to explore the city and participate in athletic games and community relations events. On Dec. 19, a small group of Sailors loaded boxes of toys and hygiene items into a truck for delivery to the U.S. Embassy warehouse, where representatives from three non-governmental organizations received them for distribution to the city and in Indonesia's rural interior. The boxes were donations from Project Handclasp, which is a program that allows private organizations to donate toys and other items for forward-deployed military units to distribute overseas

U.S. Navy port visits such as Port Royal's visit to Indonesia represent an important opportunity to promote peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific region of the world, demonstrate commitment to regional partners and foster growing relationships. U.S. 7th Fleet forces are tangible proof of the U.S. commitment to peace and stability in the Oceana region, and they directly support U.S. national goals of strengthening alliances, defeating global threats, and preserving the free flow of trade.

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