The Ho Chi Minh City’s government has approved a resumption of hydrofoilservices between the City and Vung Tau by the end of this month afternearly one year of interruption, according to a local newspaper.
BuiCong Trung, Chairman of Vina Express, told the Saigon Times Daily thathis firm is preparing to resume its service by the month-end.
TranQuoc Hieu, Deputy Director of Quang Hung Transportation Co. Ltd., orPetro Express, was quoted as saying that one hydrofoil of his companywould re-enter into service later this month and another would bere-commissioned next year.
The city government on December 15issued a document allowing hydrofoil operators to resume services, andasked the departments of transport and fire prevention to conduct safetychecks.
Earlier this year, the HCM City government suspended allhydrofoil services between HCM City and Vung Tau city after a VinaExpress hydrofoil with 85 passengers on board, including 37 foreigners,caught fire.
Two days after the incident, all hydrofoils plyingthe HCM City-Vung Tau route were forced to suspend operations for safetyinspections.
Later, inspectors of the Ministry of Transport andthe HCM City Department of Transport inspected and found all hydrofoilswere over 20 years old and some parts of these boats, especially thehulls, were deteriorating.
The Government issued a decreeregulating the years in service for boats on domestic routes and newrules are expected to take effect early next year. Accordingly,hydrofoils can operate longer, but their safety conditions should bestrictly inspected.
For example, boats with years in service endbefore January 5, 2015 will be allowed to operate until the end of 2016.Meanwhile, hydrofoils with the lifespan expiry from January 5, 2015 tofrom January 5, 2016 will be able to operate until December 31, 2017 andDecember 31, 2018 respectively.
However, hydrofoils with registered years in service ending on January 5, 2017 will not be permitted to operate further.-VNA
BuiCong Trung, Chairman of Vina Express, told the Saigon Times Daily thathis firm is preparing to resume its service by the month-end.
TranQuoc Hieu, Deputy Director of Quang Hung Transportation Co. Ltd., orPetro Express, was quoted as saying that one hydrofoil of his companywould re-enter into service later this month and another would bere-commissioned next year.
The city government on December 15issued a document allowing hydrofoil operators to resume services, andasked the departments of transport and fire prevention to conduct safetychecks.
Earlier this year, the HCM City government suspended allhydrofoil services between HCM City and Vung Tau city after a VinaExpress hydrofoil with 85 passengers on board, including 37 foreigners,caught fire.
Two days after the incident, all hydrofoils plyingthe HCM City-Vung Tau route were forced to suspend operations for safetyinspections.
Later, inspectors of the Ministry of Transport andthe HCM City Department of Transport inspected and found all hydrofoilswere over 20 years old and some parts of these boats, especially thehulls, were deteriorating.
The Government issued a decreeregulating the years in service for boats on domestic routes and newrules are expected to take effect early next year. Accordingly,hydrofoils can operate longer, but their safety conditions should bestrictly inspected.
For example, boats with years in service endbefore January 5, 2015 will be allowed to operate until the end of 2016.Meanwhile, hydrofoils with the lifespan expiry from January 5, 2015 tofrom January 5, 2016 will be able to operate until December 31, 2017 andDecember 31, 2018 respectively.
However, hydrofoils with registered years in service ending on January 5, 2017 will not be permitted to operate further.-VNA
