Ship-building provides employment for about hundred thousand people. Vietnam has around 150 shipbuilding and repair yards, and about 30 of these have export capacity. In general, Vietnamese yards produce smaller tonnage vessels such as tankers, bulkers and multipurpose vessels.
Vietnam Shipbuilding industry Group (Vinashin) is the biggest shipbuilding group in Vietnam, accounting for 70% -80% of the Vietnamese shipbuilding industry. Vinashin is a holding company with more than 200 subsidiaries and about 75,000 employees.
The Vietnamese fleet ranks 60 out of 150 in the world and 4 out of 10 among Asian nations. Vietnam targets to have a fleet with total capacity of 4.4 million DWT and 7.1 million DWT by 2010 and 2020 respectively. The target for 2010 has already been achieved in 2008.
Vinalines is the biggest shipping group in Vietnam, and presently owns 30 % of the total Vietnamese fleet. Vinalines is also responsible for operating 5 main ports in Vietnam, providing logistic support and other maritime related services.
At present, a number of seaports are under construction or up-gradation such as Cai Mep- Thi Vai in Ba Ria Vung Tau province, Cai Lan in Quang Ninh province, Van Phong in Khanh Hoa province, etc.