Bulgarian shipyard finalizes upgrade of ATB for Prime Shipping
Varna-based Naval Arsenal Shipyard completes today in-depth modernization of the fourth articulated tug and barge (ATB) unit (the pusher tug “Irakli” and the oil barge "Dika") for Prime Shipping, the shipping company CEO Igor Ganin told PortNews.
Two days ago, a similar, the third ATB (the tugboat “Dionysus" / the barge "Demeter") set sail from Varna dock to Russian port of Azov, and further to Saratov after the upgrade.
The ATB now has the ARTICOUPLE FR couplers for pushing the barges in the sea. Mr. Ganin said that the hydraulically operated, articulate coupler enhance the ATB operation at sea, ensures safety, time- and manpower-saving, excellent seaworthiness versus the same characteristics of tankers.
The first two tug / barge units (pusher tug "Helios" / barge "Artemis" and tug "Hector" / barge "Athena") have undergone in-depth upgrade in 2010. The fifth ATB retrofitting completion (tug "Alpheus" / barge "Aphrodite") at Kostroma Shipbuilding, Ship Repair Yard is scheduled for mid-summer 2012.
In the 2012 summer season LLC Prime Shipping will deploy on Russia’s inland waterways a fleet of 20 river-sea vessels, and five ATBs equipped with innovative couplers.
Prime Shipping LLC is a subsidiary of Italian Pietro Barbaro in the Samara region. The shipping company was acquired by Pietro Barbaro in January 2006. The Company is engaged primarily in transportation of petroleum products.