Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard launches first passenger catamaran of Project 23290 (photo)

Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard (United Shipbuilding Corporation) says it has launched the first passenger catamaran of Project 23290.
 
Catamaran of Project 23290 is a high-speed passenger ship of new generation. The hull is built of composite material (carbon fibre composite) through vacuum infusion method. This innovative product is unique for Russia.
 
The vessel is intended for transportation of passengers at the distance of up to 1,000 km. The catamaran has been designed and built to the class of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and can transport passengers not only by rivers but also in the coastal area.
 
When outfitting is completed the vessel will undergo mooring and sea trials, as well as trial operation.
 
Vladimir Seredokho, Director General of Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard, says: “Many ship owners today are implementing the programme of vessels’ overhaul and modernization but in general it does not solve the key problem: domestic passenger fleet is obsolete. It does not comply with today’s requirements on safe operation and is subject to mass decommissioning in the coming years. Therefore, the situation in this segment is favourable for shipbuilders amid the demand for the development of the fleet of new generation.”
 
Passenger transportation by high-speed water transport of new generation can be organized through private-public partnership. A large financial organisation has already expressed its interest in the project.
 
Operation of the catamaran built by Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard is quite efficient as compared with steel vessels. Composite ships feature easy care and their weight is much less allowing for less powerful propulsion plants, hence less fuel is needed. When it comes to total operational costs it will be an advantage of composite vessels. With their less weight such vessels can have a higher cargo capacity. They can carry more equipment, passengers etc.