NIBULON intends to enlarge the number of self-built vessels to 100 over the next 4 years. This will enlarge the company's fleet by half compared to today´s indices, NIBULON´s General Director Oleksiy Vadaturskyy told journalists during the ceremony of solemn launching of a new generation tug "Yurii Makarov" in Mykolaiv.
According to him, by July 1, 2017, the company intends to build and launch two more such 121M project vessels intended for operation in shallow water areas, including the northern tributaries of the Dnipro River – the Desna River and the Prypiat River. In addition, another non-self-propelled vessel will be built.
"By July 1, our fleet will consist of 60 vessels, and by the end of the year – of 65 ones. Every year we will produce 15-16 complete vessels up to 150 meters long. We intend to reach a figure of 100 vessels within 4 years. We will completely compensate for the fact that two shipbuilding plants do not operate in our city," noted Oleksiy Vadaturskyy.
He also added that the company is carrying out a full-scale reconstruction of NIBULON shipbuilding and repair yard in order to place two production lines on its territory – for the passenger and specialized fleet, and for merchant ships. The company intends to produce its own passenger hydrofoils of a new generation and small passenger vessels.
Taking into account the further and continuous increase in the number of its own cargo fleet, NIBULON will be able to transport up to 4 million tons of cargo per year along Ukraine's waterways. During the period from 2017 to 2022, there will be built a number of vessels of new projects at the shipyard, including a vessel for dredging rivers, the bottom of which consist of rock, that will be launched by September 1. It will enable the company to perform the most difficult dredging operations on its own, including the ones on the Dnipro River.
Oleksiy Vadaturskyy stressed that the company´s investment program for the construction of its own cargo fleet and modernization of the shipyard is financed by the European Investment Bank. The corresponding agreement on the allocation of USD 74 million was signed by the General Director in Brussels on December 19, 2016. In addition, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is providing financial support for the project.