In June 2002, the Goverment of Japan approved the construction of a Fishery Research and Training Vessel capable of conducting fishery surveys and training operations in coastal ASEAN waters, along with procurement of the requisite fishing gear, fishing machinery, and suvey equipment. This was in response to resolutions passed at the ASEAN-SEAFDEC Millennium Conference which highlighted the need for investigation of the potential of fisheries resources, and establishment and implementation of comprehensive policies for innovative fisheries management in the region. The construction of the new vessel, M.V. SEAFDEC 2 ws completed in the fall of 2003 and it was officially launched at Niigata, Japan on 6 December 2003.

The M.V. SEAFDEC 2 will be used to assess the utilization of fishery resources in grant aid eligible countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam) and other SEAFDEC member Countries by means of extensive scientific surveys of their coastal resources. The vessel will also be used to implement fishery training programs for resource management and fisheries personel. In a broader sense, the acquistion of M.V. SEAFDEC 2 will help strengthen technical cooperation and effective fisheries and environmental management in the ASEAN region through the enchancement of reseach and training capability.