Japanese warship docks in Vietnam
TUOI TRE NEWS
UPDATED : 04/13/2017 10:52 GMT + 7
A destroyer from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) arrived at the international seaport in the south-central Vietnamese province of Khanh Hoa on Wednesday, commencing the ship’s visit to Vietnam.
The Fuyuzuki docked at Cam Ranh Port, located in the namesake city in Khanh Hoa, on Thursday morning to a warm welcome by officials from the 4th Regional Command under the Vietnam People’s Navy.
The visit, scheduled for April 12 to 15, will feature meetings between Japanese naval officers and leaders from the provincial People’s Committee and the 4th Regional Command, as well as tours of certain Vietnamese naval vessels.
Built by Mitsui Shipbuilding Company in Tamaro, the US$1 billion Fuyuzuki measures 150 meters long, weighs 6,800 metric tons, and carries a crew of 200 people.
It was completed on June 14, 2011 and assigned to the JMSDF on April 13, 2014.
Crew members of the Fuyuzuki arrive at Cam Ranh Port. Photo: Tuoi Tre
The ship is an Akizuki-class destroyer – a model intended to escort Hyuga class ships and Izumo class helicopter destroyers while providing defense against surface, airborne, and undersea threats.
Also on Wednesday, frigate HMNZS Te Kaha of the Royal New Zealand Navy, carrying 178 crew members, arrived at Tien Sa Port for the beginning of a four-day official visit to the central city of Da Nang.
The visit is proof of the strong defense and security ties between the two nations, contributing to their bilateral relationship, said Wendy Matthews, New Zealand’s Ambassador to Vietnam.
Commanders of the HMNZS Te Kaha are expected to meet with leaders from the municipal administration and the Vietnamese navy’s 3rd Regional Command.
Frigate HMNZS Te Kaha of the Royal New Zealand Navy docks at Tien Sa Port in the central city of Da Nang on April 12, 2017.Photo: Tuoi Tre