Nefteflot laid down two barges of Project RDB12 ordered by STLC
On 18 April 2018, Samara based Nefteflot CJSC held a ceremony of laying down two barges of Project RDB12. As IAA PortNews correspondent reports from Samara, the vessel is to be built under agreement signed on 28 January 2019 with State Transport Leasing Company (STLC) for construction of three non-self-propelled cargo barges for mixed navigation area.
The ceremony was attended by Samara Region Governor Dmitry Azarov, Nefteflot BoD Chairman Sergey Fofanov, Nefteflot General Director Vladimir Prudyus, Deputy Director of STLC’s Customer Service Department Igor Ivashin, Marine Engineering Bureau General Director Gennady Yegorov, Deputy General Director of Kalashnikov Concern Arkady Privalov, General Director of Petrotanker Denis Davydov.
When speaking at the ceremony, Dmitry Azarov emphasized that keel-laying of two barges has marked the revival of shipbuilding industry in the region.
According to Gennady Yegorov, Russia lacks production facilities for renovation of river fleet, therefore, therefore companies earlier involved in ship repair embark on shipbuilding. It is of vital importance for plants located along the Volga river which can be used for transportation of large amount of dry bulk cargo.
Sergey Fofanov said in his turn, that the conversion of a ship repair company into a shipbuilding one was not easy with the need to renovate production facilities, purchase of new equipment, retraining of personnel and search for specialists with different competence.
However, he added, Nefteflot saw the demand of the shipping industry for newbuildings several years ago and was supported by the regional authorities, Ministry of Industry and Trade and other ad hoc bodies.
“Today, the company hopes that its high quality work will help it take a rightful place on the shipbuilding market despite availability of other strong shipyards building river ships”, said Sergey Fofanov.
The third ship of the project is to be laid down in May 2019.
Related link:
STLC signs agreement of intent on construction and leasing out of vessels intended for Volgotrans and Petrotanker >>>>
