US transfers third coast guard cutter to Vietnam

Formerly known as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, the ship departed Seattle with stops in Hawaii and Guam before arriving in Ninh Hoa Town, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam on the same day.

The transfer took place under the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Defense Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding.

The event coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Courtney Beale and Major General Ngo Binh Minh, Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 3, attended the arrival ceremony of CSB 8022.

“Today’s delivery reflects the continued growth of security cooperation over 30 years of diplomatic relations,” Beale said.

CSB 8022 is the third Hamilton-class high-endurance cutter the U.S. has transferred to Vietnam, following CSB 8020 (formerly USCGC Morgenthau) in 2017 and CSB 8021 (formerly USCGC John Midgett) in 2020.

This transfer further strengthens Vietnam’s maritime law enforcement capabilities and improves its capacity for search and rescue, humanitarian response, and disaster relief.

It also reinforces regional efforts to safeguard sovereignty and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.