Caspian Energy says Astrakhan shipyard “Lotus” (a part of USC) has signed contracts with Goznak-Leasing (USC) on construction of a dry cargo carrier of Project RSD 49 (leaseholder – Anship LLC) and a non-self-propelled cargo pontoon of Project 7514 (leaseholder – Shipping Company Ark LLC). Total value of the two contracts is about RUB 1 bln.
The keel-laying ceremony for the ship of Project RSD49 is scheduled for 21 March 2017.
Lotus shipyard will thus build its third ship of Project RSD49 Currently, the RSD49 vessels are so far the largest of dry cargo ships that satisfy the dimensions of Volga-Don Shipping Canal. The Volga-Don Max vessels of mixed river-sea navigation (classification of Marine Engineering Bureau) will be 139.9 m long and have cargo holds capacity of 10,920 cbm, sea endurance - 20 days, crew – 10, accommodation – 12 with a sanitary cabin and a pilot cabin.
The non-self-propelled cargo pontoon, which is a one-deck vessel of a rectangular shape with the hull cut at the bow and stern ends and two directional stabilizers at the stern, is intended for operation in the Russian sector of the northern Caspian Sea, at the Filanovsky field. The shipyard has built 9 vessels of this class over the recent years.
JSC Shipyard Lotus (a subsidiary of MNP-Onshore & Offshore Group) operates two shipyards in Astrakhan region and specialized in construction of modules of topsides for offshore platforms. The company repair ships hulls, hull systems, and machinery. Since 2012 the shipyard is managed by United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC). The main shareholders are USC, Caspian Energy Group and the Government of the Astrakhan region.