New Mega-Shipyard for Russia

Russia has begun the reconstruction of the old Zvezda shipyard in Primorsk Kray in the Far East. When the giant project is finished, Russia will be able to support itself with super tankers and other ice-class vessels to operate on the Arctic shelf, reports the Independent Barents Observer.

The yard will be the nation’s largest and most modern civilian shipyard and will focus on large-tonnage vessels. It is anticipated to be capable of starting construction of Arctic-capable oil tankers and LNG carriers by 2020.

“Our country will actually be able to create the world’s first and most powerful Arctic fleet,” Head of Russia’s Security Council Nikoaly Patrushev said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta. 

Rosneft, Gazprom, Novatek and Sovcomflot has already reportedly signed letters of intent for vessel orders.

The yard will be built from scratch but will include renovation of some facilities located within the development area. The yard will be designed by the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Technology Center with input from the engineering consultant IMG Ingenieurtechnik und Maschinenbau of Germany.

The shipyard facilities will feature the latest production equipment, robotic work cells, machine-driven and automated lines, standard jigs and fixtures, and IT systems to support the high-tech production and the use of machines and automation to ensure  a high quality and commercially successful product. 

On completion of the construction project, the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex will be able to construct tankers with a displacement of up to 350 thousand tons, LNG carriers up to 250,000 cubic meters, ice class vessels, specialized vessels with a launch weight up to 29,000 tons, offshore platform units and other types of ships.