October 6, 2006

 

Xangsane paralyzes seafood companies

 

 

After unleashing its fury in Vietnam's central region, Typhoon Xangsane has crippled business operations in the country including several seafood companies located in Da Nang, Quang Nam and Thua Thien-Hue.

 

The Vietnam News reported seafood conglomerates Quangnamco, Procimex, Thuanphuoc Corp and Sea Thoquang have suffered huge losses as the typhoon wrought havoc on their factories, destroying facilities and slashing buildings, leaving most of it "roof-less". 

 

Preliminary statistics showed that the total damages incurred may reach billions in dong.

 

In Da Nang, Tho Quang Seafood Processing and Export Company, the Aquatic Resources Development Company and Dong Hai Company Ltd have reported a total loss of VND5 billion (US$312,500). Walls and roofs in their factories were mostly in tatters. 

 

Hardest hit was Dong Hai as all its facilities were nearly wiped out, incurring a loss of VND4 billion.

 

Water and electricity shutdown has stopped Sea Thoquang's operations, prompting to shelve its four delivery consignments due this month. Though spared from severe damages, Sea Thoquang director Tra Tam says his company is certain of a financial beating as power failure is expected to continue for days.

 

Meanwhile, Nguyen Cong Lam, deputy head of the business section of Da Nang-based Procimex said their cattle, poultry and two seafood workshops were completely beyond repair and will need some time before they can be restored.

 

Tran Van Linh, director of Thuan Phuoc Seafood and Trading Company said the typhoon has torn the roof of two of its processing workshops, including their newly-built structure.

 

Pham Nguyen, Director of Quangnamco said the company has already lost VND500 million as their operations in Quang Nam and Da Nang were halted due to continuous blackouts, spoiling all of their raw materials.

 

In Thua Thien, Hue Province, the typhoon blew up the surrounding wall of the 45- hectare shrimp hatchery area of Song Huong Joint Stock Company (Soseafood), leaving all the shrimp overflowing in its banks. The toll may reach VND400 million.