Khabarovsk Shipyard launched a tug for Pacific Fleet

30.08.2011 New sea-going ice-class tug was launched at Khabarovsk Shipyard on Aug 26.

The solemn launching ceremony was attended by the shipyard's directors, representatives of Khabarovsk Territory Government, Russian Navy, and Khabarovsk eparchy.

Deputy minister of regional industry and transport Sergei Ivashkin congratulated the shipyard's staff on behalf of Khabarovsk Territory Governor Vyacheslav Shport.

"High quality of ships and timely execution of contract commitments have gained recognition not only at Pacific Fleet but among foreign customers. Undoubtedly, Khabarovsk Shipyard will continue to hold leading positions in national shipbuilding", said the congratulatory letter.

According to the yard's Director General Gennady Koshkarev, the new vessel is designed for towing works, floating off ships, fire extinguishing of damaged vessels and coastal assets, and diving operations at depths down to 20 meters.

The sea-going tug (hull number 220) was laid down on June 16, 2007 under Russian Navy's order for Pacific Fleet. It is planned to deliver the ship in Dec 2011 after transfer to commissioning base in Vladivostok.

Execution of this order is very important for Khabarovsk Shipyard, said the head of industry and technology introduction department Alexander Chukavin in the interview to Pacific Star.

"The shipyard is traditionally specialized in warships for Russian Defense Ministry and FSB Frontier Service, so construction of tugs for the Navy is entirely new area. Besides, the shipyard laid down two civilian ships for JSC Rosnefteflot. The project and technical documentation are ready, metal has been already delivered, and the yard has started to construct sections of two sea-going 3,500-hp tugs. In prospect, it is possible to build other two 5,400-hp tugs for the same orderer", Chukavin said.

In addition, the shipyard will lay down three river-going passenger ships in this year under contract with regional company Khabarovskvodtrans. At present, the shipyard receives metal and technical documentation.

One of those vessels is to be build under new project. Such glissade-type fast-speed ships capable to carry 100 passengers will replace overaged Meteor-class vessels currently going to Nikolaevsk-on-Amur. They are in operation for over 30 years and their service life has been expired.

Other two air-cushion ships will be capable to accommodate 30 and 50 passengers. They are to perform passenger transportation along Amur River between hard-to-reach populated areas.

To improve its competitiveness, JSC Khabarovsk Shipyard is being actively modernized and re-equipped. Since 2009 the yard has been participating in the Defense Industry Development Program which financed procurement of over 200 pieces of equipment, such as overhead traveling cranes, pipe-bending machines and other machining and welding facilities. As for Alexander Chukavin, the most important thing is modernization of launching arrangement, which makes possible to build vessels with mass of up to 2,000 tons. Financing planned for 2011 is RUR 119.1 mln.