Zvezda Shipbuilding complex starts metal cutting for the first MR-class product carrier tanker
Zvezda Shipbuilding complex started cutting metal for the first MR-type product carrier tanker powered by natural-gas-based motor fuel. Cutting of the first hull details started in hull production workshop using the new high-technology gas-plasma machine installed as part of expansion of existing capacity of the main shop of the shipyard.
This is the first-in-class vessel of the series of three tankers designed for transporting petroleum-based products and gas condensate that will be used for long-term time-charter contracts between Sovcomflot Group and Novatek.
Each tanker has a dead weight of around 50 000 tons, length of about 180 metres, width of over 32 metres and draught of 13 metres. Ships of 1B ice class can safely perform all-year-round navigation including in ice conditions of the Baltic Sea.
Power packages of the product carrier tankers will be powered by environmentally friendly natural-gas-based motor fuel. Use of such fuel will significantly cut emissions into the atmosphere. Specifications for the vessels have been developed according to new requirements of the International Maritime Organization.
Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex is being constructed by the Rosneft-led Consortium upon the instruction of President of Russia Vladimir Putin.
At the moment the Shipyard's order portfolio amounts to over 40 vessels - 59 vessels including options. The Shipyard's pilot throughput is provided by Rosneft that placed an order for 28 vessels. Zvezda’s product line will include vessels of up to 350 tonnes displacement, components of marine platforms, ice-class vessels, commercial vessels for cargo transportation, specialty vessels, and other types of marine equipment of any complexity, characteristics and purposes, including those that had not previously been produced in Russia due to the lack of required launching and hydraulic structures.
Note for Editors:
The following facilities have already been put into operation at Zvezda Shipbuilding complex: the hull production workshop, painting booths, the open heavy outfitting slipway equipped with a park of unique cranes and a state-of-the-art ship transportation system, and the floating transfer dock.
The workshops built enabled the construction of a number of ships before the completion of the second stage.
Commissioning of the second stage will expand the shipyard's capabilities and allow Zvezda to build vessels and marine equipment without any limitations. The second stage comprises the following: a dry dock and additional full-cycle production shops for construction of large-capacity vessels and marine equipment.
Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex will rival foreign shipyards and provide Russia with a civil fleet to develop offshore fields and smoothly operate the Northern Sea Route--the shortest route between Europe and Asia.
Rosneft
Information Division
September 4, 2020