HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to examine the building of steel fishing ships under the 2014 Government decree on policies for the development of the fisheries sector.

Under Decree 67, dated July 7, 2014, ship owners building steel or new-material ships, with total main engine capacity between 400CV and 800CV each, may borrow from commercial banks a sum not exceeding 90 per cent of the total investment in the shipbuilding at the interest rate of 7 per cent per year, of which ship owners are required to pay 2 per cent per year. The State budget subsidises 5 per cent.

PM Phúc’s order comes after the media reported alleged wrongdoings in the implementation of the decree, which led to poor quality of fishing ships built under the policy. Many ships did not qualify for fishing activities offshore.

Many fishermen who received loans from commercial banks to buy steel ships built under the decree are reported to have complained about the poor quality of these ships, saying they continued to face malfunctions and repairs.

Recent examinations by authorities of the central province of Bình Định have found some ships faced frequent breakdowns and deterioration.

The Prime Minister also required the ministry to review, adjust and supplement standards and criteria relating to steel and wood-hulled fishing ships or ships built with new material to ensure their quality and safety when operating offshore.

Local authorities have been urged to increase supervision and inspection of the construction and upgrade of fishing ships under the decree in their localities.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will report the results of these tasks to the PM before June 30. — VNS