Putin participated in the ceremony of the largest dry dock construction start in Russia

During his visit to Zvezda shipyard Vladimir Putin inspected transport-transferring dock, sections of multi functional supply vessel and dock complex.

Vladimir Putin addressed the shipyard workers: "You will have a unique enterprise. Dry dock is 500 meters. There is no such thing in the country at all! And in the world - on the fingers to count where they are, - said the President of the Russian Federation. - Medium and large civil vessels will be built here, they have never been built in Russia yet." "This is such a large, large, nationwide project, not even the Far East. In this sense, you are fortunate that you are working for such an enterprise," Vladimir Putin stressed.

To build such unique large-capacity vessels Zvezda shipyard plans to commission the largest dry dock in Russia already in 2020, three years ahead of the initially stated time.

Dry dock technical parameters enable to construct most types of the existing and future vessels almost without tonnage and hull launching weight limitations including the largest arctic liquefied gas tanker, designed to work at the Northern sea route under Arctic LNG project, drilling vessels of high ice class, nuclear ice breaker Leader, complex marine equipment for Arctic offshore drilling and other unique vessels.

Another 1200 tons Goliath crane as well as dry dock gate and tower cranes are under construction for the dry dock now. In 2019 this equipment will be delivered to the construction site for installation.

Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin noted in his report that last year was very productive for Zvezda.

"From September 2017 to date - he stated - 157 contracts totaling to RUB 46 bln have been signed under the execution of Zvezda investment project. Unique 40 000 tons transport-transferring dock Vympel with 280 x 62 meters dimensions was delivered to the shipyard.

Head of Rosneft also reported that the key facilities will be commissioned in 2019:  blocks assembly shop, outfitting and modular assembly shop, pipe processing and mechanic installation shop. Shipyard capacity will increase up to 90 000 tons upon commissioning of the blocks assembly shop.

According to Igor Sechin, construction of the new shipyard and revamping of the existing plant are aligned with the implementation of the production program. Construction of the multi functional supply vessels of the reinforced ice class is in progress according to the approved schedule. The stage of the first vessel construction on the stock will be completed in 2019 and the vessel will be floated out for further construction, tests and transfer to the customer.  

"Materials are supplied, manufacturing of the base section for Afromax tanker is completed.  Port side section is already edged into vessel position at the open outfitting heavy staple - noted Igor Sechin.  - Designed works under the signed contract for the construction of shallow draft ice breaker by Rosmorport order are in progress.

In his report Igor Sechin informed that corporate contract on the establishment of JV with Samsung for construction of arctic shuttle tankers was signed according to the previous agreements.

In order to localize the production of vessel equipment (pod drives and electric propulsion systems), construction of the pod drive manufacturing plant on the territory of Zvezda shipyard was started in November 2017. The project is managed by the joint venture of Rosneft and General Electric - Pod Drive Plant Sapphire.

Pod drive is the key element of the vessel electric propulsion system, which secures performance characteristics of the vessel and is the first Russian product of such class. Design capacities of the plant make it possible to secure the demand in this equipment for the vessels of different class, including arctic gas carriers of Christophe de Margerie class.

Head of the Company noted that the start of the plant production activities with regard to the production preparation and launch of production is scheduled for 2nd quarter of 2019.

So, a powerful shipbuilding cluster is formed in Bolhhoi Kamen and heavy large tonnage ship building is the driver for the adjacent industries development. Consortium of investors, which implements shipyard construction project relies on the multiplicative effect for the Russian industry and substantial budget receipts.

Based on Rosneft forecasts, the amount of tax payments only by Zvezda to the budgets of all levels will be more than RUB 300 bln for 20 years.

For reference:

Zvezda Shipyard is being established at the premises of the Far Eastern Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Center by the Consortium of Rosneftegaz, Rosneft and Gazprombank. Pilot workload of the Shipyard is secured by Rosneft, which signed an exclusive agreement with FESRC on placing with the Shipyard all orders for new marine equipment and ship building.

The product line of Zvezda will include vessels with a displacement of up to 350 thousand tons, elements of offshore platforms, ice-class vessels, commercial vessels for cargo transportation, special vessels and other types of marine equipment of any complexity, characteristics and purposes, including equipment that was previously not produced in Russia due to the lack of necessary launching and hydraulic structures. By the time the project is completed, the shipyard's capacity for metal processing will be more than 330 thousand tons per year.

Today Zvezda’s order portfolio includes 26 vessels:

- four multifunctional ice-class supply vessels;

- ten Aframax class tankers»;

- ten Arctic Shuttle tankers with deadweight of 42 thousand tons;

- Arctic Shuttle tanker with deadweight of 69 thousand tons;

- the shallow-draught icebreaker.