For the first time in ASEAN, a cross-sea UAV delivery route was launched this past February, operating between Cần Giờ and Vũng Tàu in both directions. The flight is the result of collaboration among the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, Vietnam Post, GASCO – ASEAN’s leading Low-Altitude Economy company (a member of CT Group) and CT UAV, the UAV designer and manufacturer, opening up significant potential for the development of the Low-Altitude Economy (LAE) in the region.

The first cross-sea UAV delivery route in ASEAN also carries another special significance: it marks CT UAV’s strategic step in deploying the Low-Altitude Economy to safeguard Vietnam’s seas, islands and continental shelf. Together with Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, through the program “CT UAV Support for Fishermen Staying at Sea”, this passionate team aims to continue the spirit of the long-running initiative “One Million National Flags for Fishermen” (now known as “Pride of the National Flag”) with practical activities that directly support fishermen while embodying a profound sense of national pride.

Signing Ceremony of the cooperation agreement between CT UAV and Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper

Vietnam currently has more than 82,000 fishing vessels and around 4 million fishermen and workers whose livelihoods depend on the sea. However, in recent years, fishermen have been facing many difficulties as fuel prices have continued to rise.

In recent days, as fuel prices have surged to record levels, even though the first fishing season of the year has begun, hundreds of fishing vessels remain docked at Phan Thiet Fishing Port, lining the Ca Ty River and the harbor area. The atmosphere at what is normally a bustling fishing port has now turned unusually quiet. At Con Cha Wharf, only a few people can be seen, while long rows of refrigerated trucks are parked inside the port with no cargo to transport. Seafood purchasing vessels are also forced to stay ashore as catches remain low, while the cost of each fishing trip continues to rise. In many cases, mounting losses and escalating expenses have pushed fishermen to the point of considering selling their boats and leaving the profession altogether.

In many cases, timely resupply of medicines, emergency aid, spare parts for repairs, equipment, or essential supplies can enable a fishing vessel to continue operating at sea instead of being forced to return to shore mid-voyage. For this reason, CT UAV’s recently introduced extreme wind-resistant UAV technology represents an outstanding solution to help reduce operational costs while enhancing safety for fishermen – something that, until now, no other UAV manufacturer has been able to achieve.

In the marine environment, sudden wind gusts are always the Achilles’ heel of any UAV platform. When confronted with strong winds at levels 7 or 8, passive aerodynamic design or purely mechanical power alone is not enough to ensure mission continuity. At that point, the survival of the system depends entirely on its “brain” – the flight control system and its real-time algorithmic processing capability. Extreme wind resistance, in essence, is a fierce battle of mathematics and signal latency. By fully mastering its flight control systems and advanced wind-resistant control algorithms, CT UAV’s cutting-edge technology has the potential to free UAV platforms from the traditional constraints imposed by harsh weather conditions.

CT UAV’s UAVs feature advanced extreme wind-resistant technology.

A representative of CT Group affirmed: “Currently, CT UAV has fully mastered the core technologies in the UAV field and is now entering phase two, which is technological innovation. Once the core technologies are mastered, we are fully capable of creating many new technologies. Many specialized products have already been developed to support fishermen and help ease their difficulties when they receive support from technology”.

Meanwhile, Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper serves as a bridge connecting technology with the community. Through the success of the program “One Million National Flags for Fishermen”, the newspaper has built an extensive network across coastal provinces and cities, earning deep trust within fishing communities. “Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, CT Group in general, and CT UAV in particular share many common values, notably a spirit of dedication to society and a strong aspiration to advance through technology. The cooperation between the two sides will bring significant economic value while also contributing to the affirmation of Vietnam’s sovereignty over its seas and islands”, shared Mr. Tô Đình Tuân, Editor-in-Chief of Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper.

The upcoming official launch ceremony will mark the moment when the program moves into practical implementation. When the first UAV flights take off toward the fishing grounds, UAV technology and the low-altitude economy (LAE) will truly become practical support, helping fishermen confidently maintain their long-term presence at sea.