Vietnam’s Leading Shipyard Producing State-of-the-Art Warships

Vietnam’s Z189 Shipyard has been receiving international acclaim for its impressive engineering prowess. Recently, Russia’s Sputnik magazine published an article praising Z189 and its specific product, the Thang Long high-speed superboat, calling it a “technical masterpiece” with a “capacity equal to that of three Boeing 787s.” This article, capturing attention both domestically and internationally, highlights the significance of Z189’s contributions to the shipbuilding industry.

A Shipyard of Unmatched Excellence

Located in Hai Phong, Z189 Shipyard traces its origins back to 1989 when it was established as Workshop 10B under the 3rd Military Region’s Engineering Department. Over the past 30 years, the shipyard has undergone continuous innovation and modernization, investing in state-of-the-art equipment and enhancing its technical expertise. As a result, Z189 has become a reputable and high-quality shipyard not only in Vietnam but also in the region.

Thang Long High-Speed Superboat, serving as a passenger transport between Vung Tau and Con Dao.

Z189 Shipyard boasts various cutting-edge technologies, including a Rollroyce lifting platform capable of lifting up to 3,000 tons, a 270m-long port system capable of accommodating ships with a load of up to 10,000 tons, a transportation system using synchronized vehicles and rail tracks for seamless movement of ships from the shipyard to the lifting platform, ship assembly and total section processing within the workshop, Shipconstructor software for design and construction, highly accurate CNC milling machines for precise mechanical component fabrication, and advanced painting, interior decoration, and cleaning technologies.

These advanced capabilities enable the shipyard to construct new military ships with water displacement of up to 2,500 tons, cargo ships with a payload of 5,000 DWT, and high-speed patrol boats capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 knots.

Beyond the Thang Long High-Speed Superboat

Z189 Shipyard’s achievements extend beyond the production of the Thang Long. It has also successfully built modern DN-2000 patrol boats for the Vietnam Coast Guard and Fisheries Resources Surveillance. These advanced vessels are designed to meet and comply with international standards and have been optimized to better address the operational requirements of these forces.

The DN-2000 patrol boats measure 90.5m in length, 14m in width, and have a maximum draft of 4m, with a water displacement of approximately 2,400 tons. The boats accommodate a crew of 30 and are equipped to carry up to 120 rescue personnel, with a water displacement capacity of 2,200 tons. They operate without restrictions, with a continuous operating time at sea of 40 days and a range of 5,000 nautical miles.

DN-2000 Modern Patrol Boat (Photo: Z189 Shipyard)

In addition to the patrol boats, Z189 Shipyard has also been involved in the construction of K122/K123 class naval vessels for the Vietnam People’s Navy. These modern ships, designed and built by Vietnam, are currently the largest and most advanced in the Navy. With a length of 71 meters, width of 13.2 meters, and a height of 6 meters, these ships have a full load water displacement capacity of 2,050 tons. They can reach a maximum speed of 16 knots (1 knot is equivalent to 1.8 km/h), operate for 2,500 nautical miles continuously, and accommodate a crew of 180 for 20 days and nights.

The ships are equipped with two main engines, each with a power output of over 2,400 horsepower. Their fuel reserves enable continuous operation for 2,500 nautical miles. Designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 10-11 and wave heights of up to 3, these vessels provide spacious sleeping quarters with bunk beds and full-body air conditioning systems.

K122/K123 Class Naval Vessel (Photo: Z189 Shipyard)

One notable variant of these naval vessels is the highly regarded floating hospital ship, which is considered one of the most contemporary hospital ships in Southeast Asia.

Z189 Shipyard is not only involved in military ship production but also in the manufacture of luxury cruise ships, large cargo vessels to meet domestic and international demands, and dredgers for maritime construction and channel maintenance.

Empowering the Future

Leveraging its technological capabilities, Z189 Shipyard is actively engaging in cooperation with major international corporations such as Damen Group (Netherlands) and AKVA Group ASA (Norway). The shipyard is continuously building and exporting high-value vessels, contributing to Vietnam’s economic growth.

Z189 Shipyard represents the pride of Vietnam’s shipbuilding industry. With its remarkable achievements and continuous dedication, the shipyard will continue to contribute to the nation’s development and safeguarding, propelling Vietnam’s shipbuilding industry to new heights.

Vietnam Navy ships, a testament to Z189 Shipyard’s excellence (Photo: Z189 Shipyard)