Vinalines, a major state-owned shipping firm, is scheduled to launch its initial public offering in the first quarter of 2015, according to the Transport Ministry, the Dau Tu newspaper reports. Vinalines has also sought the ministry’s approval to select a consultant firm via bidding to help with its valuation in 2014, the report said. —— NOTE: AJOT and Reuters have not verified this story and do not vouch for its accuracy.