Kotlin shipyard supported by OSK and SPb Governor to be financed by federal budget – Aleksandr Buzakov
The project on construction of a super shipyard in Kronshtadt (Kotlin island near St. Petersburg) within the framework of Admiralty Shipyards development has been supported by the management of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (OSK) and verbally approved by St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko as well as by Kronshtadt authorities. As Aleksandr Buzakov, Director of Western Center of Shipbuilding OJSC (OSK sub-holding), told PortNews IAA, the project has passed the first phase of discussion.
In particular, the location of the future shipyard has been determined. It is to be built at the northern tip of the Kotlin island. “It would be good indeed to build a new shipyard at the northern tip of the island. It is geographically convenient taking into consideration the sea canal location,” Aleksandr Buzakov explains.
The project was developed by the Center of Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Technologies OJSC. The institution continues its work so that the idea could be shaped as a well-developed business project.
“Western Center of Shipbuilding and OSK entirely support the idea as everybody understands that the capacity of St. Petersburg shipyards is limited in terms of the size and displacement of vessels being built there. Such vessels are not in demand today while ships with displacement exceeding 100,000 tonnes are ordered in Korea and China. They can be built only at new facilities,” Aleksandr Buzakov says.
According to him, the project will be financed by the budget if it is approved at the federal level. “It will be exclusively budget-based financing as Admiralty Shipyards is a 100-pct state company and none of the shipyards is capable of investing even one tenth of the amount needed. Private capital is not under consideration here as in Primorsk shipyard, for example,” OSK representative tells.
Meanwhile, OSK held the first meeting with representatives of Samsung Heavy Industries where the project was announced though no specific agreements have been achieved yet.
The Kotlin project depends on the future of the Admiralty Shipyards (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) currently located in the very center of St. Petersburg. There are two alternatives here – either modernization and expansion of the shipyard facilities at the currently occupied territory for annual production of 5-6 large-capacity vessels or construction of new facilities at the Kotlin island near St. Petersburg. According to the latter alternative valued at RUR 65 bln, two dry docks are to be built for production of some 15 vessels per year, including aircraft carriers, perhaps.
In particular, the location of the future shipyard has been determined. It is to be built at the northern tip of the Kotlin island. “It would be good indeed to build a new shipyard at the northern tip of the island. It is geographically convenient taking into consideration the sea canal location,” Aleksandr Buzakov explains.
The project was developed by the Center of Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Technologies OJSC. The institution continues its work so that the idea could be shaped as a well-developed business project.
“Western Center of Shipbuilding and OSK entirely support the idea as everybody understands that the capacity of St. Petersburg shipyards is limited in terms of the size and displacement of vessels being built there. Such vessels are not in demand today while ships with displacement exceeding 100,000 tonnes are ordered in Korea and China. They can be built only at new facilities,” Aleksandr Buzakov says.
According to him, the project will be financed by the budget if it is approved at the federal level. “It will be exclusively budget-based financing as Admiralty Shipyards is a 100-pct state company and none of the shipyards is capable of investing even one tenth of the amount needed. Private capital is not under consideration here as in Primorsk shipyard, for example,” OSK representative tells.
Meanwhile, OSK held the first meeting with representatives of Samsung Heavy Industries where the project was announced though no specific agreements have been achieved yet.
The Kotlin project depends on the future of the Admiralty Shipyards (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation) currently located in the very center of St. Petersburg. There are two alternatives here – either modernization and expansion of the shipyard facilities at the currently occupied territory for annual production of 5-6 large-capacity vessels or construction of new facilities at the Kotlin island near St. Petersburg. According to the latter alternative valued at RUR 65 bln, two dry docks are to be built for production of some 15 vessels per year, including aircraft carriers, perhaps.