The Fisheries Logistics Service Center on Da Tay - internationally West London Reef - has become such a reliable address and a firm rear for fishermen.
Strategic significance of Fisheries Logistics Service Center
At the dry lock of the fishing port on West London Reef, Truong Sa district, Khanh Hoa province, a trawler numbered BD 94726-TS from Binh Dinh province was taking ice to preserve aquatic products caught in the waters of Truong Sa. Talking to us, captain of the trawler Tran Le Minh Cuong stressed that the Fisheries Logistics Service Center on West London Reef was the fulcrum for fishermen. “Without ice, fresh water, and oil provided by the center, our trawlers can lose VND 400-500 million per trip," Cuong shared.
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A corner of the dry lock of the fishing port on West London Reef |
According to Cuong, since the establishment of the center, trawlers have focused on conducting fishing activities. They mobilize other boats to transport seafood to the mainland. When trawlers run out of fuel, fresh water, ice and food, they stop at the center to get more.
Reportedly, West London Reef usually provides free fresh water for fishing boats. The price of oil and ice is equivalent to that in the mainland. Apart from fresh water, oil and ice, the Fisheries Logistics Service Center on West London Reef helps fishermen repair their trawlers. Also, many necessities, such as rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, canned food, etc., are sold at reasonable prices on the island to serve fishermen. Especially, the dry lock on West London Reef is a safe place for vessels to take shelter from storms.
Standing by fishermen
The ice water factory of the Fisheries Logistics Service Center on West London Reef under the East Sea Fishing Service Company Limited, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has a capacity of 1,000 ice blocks per day.
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The booth selling necessities for islanders on West London Reef |
According to Nguyen Thanh Tam, Vice Director of the East Sea Fishing Service Limited Liability Company, the factory produces ice blocks every day. If trawlers are out of ice, the factory put the ice into the chute and transfer it to the ship. Trawlers can contact the company in advance to order the amount of ice they need. Over the past years, the factory has stood side by side with fishermen in fishing activities at sea, particularly in the waters of Truong Sa island district, thereby contributing to protecting national sovereignty over sea and islands.
Touring the booth selling necessary products for fishermen on West London Reef, we recognized the significance and great efforts of those who transported these products to the island.
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Transporting ice blocks from the factory onto trawlers |
Returning to the mainland, I still remembered Captain Tran Le Minh Cuong’s words. He hoped that the Fisheries Logistics Service Center on West London Reef, in the time to come, would purchase seafood from fishermen, and buy additional essential items, including vegetables, cool and frozen meat, among others. Therefore, fishermen could conduct fishing activities for a longer time. And he also hoped that his wish would come true in the near future to improve the life quality of fishermen, islanders and troops on duty on the island.
Translated by Quynh Oanh