Former chief executive Tran Van Liem, ex-sales manager Giang Kim Dat and former chief accountant, Tran Van Khuong will stand trial on 21 January before the Hanoi People’s Court on embezzlement charges.

They will be joined by Giang’s father, Giang Van Hien, who faces money-laundering charges.

All four were arrested in July 2015, accused of embezzling in the region of $16m by pocketing excessive commissions from vessel purchases and leasing deals.