Ha Noi, Apr. 13 (VNA) - Two Vietnamese made ships were launched early this month to fish in the area of Truong Sa (Spratly) islands, according to Sai Gon Giai phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper.

The 21m long Huu Nghi ship with a load capacity of 15 tonnes of fish and the 27m long Da Tay 02 ship were built by the SEAMACO company in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /> Ho Chi Minh City out of composite materials.

The vessels left port a year after the first ship built from composites in Viet Nam , the Da Tay 01 was launched under a "national sea economic development plan", aimed at improving Viet Nam 's deep sea fishing vessels.

Manufacturers at SEAMACO said new technologies provided for lower construction cost, compared to imports.

SEAMACO is working on a an order for 64 canoes, 24 of which are for the Ministry of Interior. It also plans to launch a 22m long boat, ordered by Kien Giang province Customs Office.

It plans to provide more composite boats to fishermen in a bid to replace existing wooden fishing boats.-Enditem