USPA will update the dredging and ecological security fleet of Ukraine
On June 21, Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) together with the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (Chamber) held the «Ukrainian ShipYard Day» (2017), and presented a fleet renewal program of the enterprise until 2021. USPA says its specialists presented a prospective program of acquisition and construction of the enterprise's vessels for the period 2017 – 2021 to representatives of member companies of the Chamber, as well as the largest foreign and Ukrainian shipbuilding companies.
«It is much more profitable for the state to develop its own fleet for regular work, rather than to attract contractors for these volumes. Therefore, the USPA will invest in this direction and will do it systematically and transparently,» said the Head of the USPA Raivis Veckagans. The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority intends to purchase 20 vessels, including six pilot boats, seven multifunctional vessels, a modern icebreaker to ensure the safety of navigation at the Azov Sea. USPA also plans to renew the dredging fleet of the enterprise, in particular, the purchase of a sounding boat, a self-propelled suction dredge, a self-propelled dump scows. This will increase the volume of operational dredging that USPA will be able to carry out by its own means without involving contracting organizations.
President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, Andrei Gunder, noted: «At the moment, unfortunately, the USPA can not perform all dredging by its own resources, which leads to an increase in their cost and terms of implementation. That is why business supports the initiative to renew and develop the Ukrainian fleet. Shipbuilding is in the stage of stagnation due to the lack of both state support and investment. Business support of USPA in developing a clear strategy of action, involving companies with international experience and transparent tender procedures is an important factor at this stage».
The USPA has already attracted the leading world companies, namely China Harbor Engineering Company and Novadeal for dredging in Yuzhny port on the basis of the Prozorro competition, carries out the process of selecting the contractor for the reconstruction of berth № 7 in Odessa port. «We have already proved that our conduct about transparency of tender procedures is of a piece with our words. In the matter of the fleet, we also expect fair and truly international competition. All contractors that will supply or produce vessels to the USPA with the help of Prozorro electronic procurement system — in strict compliance with the requirements of the law, transparently, competitively,» said Raivis Veckagans.
According to the Head of the technical service of the USPA, Gennady Garas, the fleet of the USPA is outworn, many vessels are morally and physically obsolete, since they were built 30 years ago. «In recent years, the enterprise has acquired only a multifunctional vessel Sea Ant, and we closed on the fact that we can not lag behind the progress. We need modern, functional, and powerful vessels for work. Their use is more economical than the old, not repaired fleet,» he added.
Representatives of leading shipyards and design institutes of Ukraine, Turkey, European and Baltic countries, heads of major international shipbuilding groups Damen, MAVI DENIS, Fiskerstrand, Baltic Workboat, Aker Arctic, Ukrainian design enterprises and scientific institutions took part in the event. In addition, the meeting was attended by representatives of different
financial institutions and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine.
Summing up the results of the event, Raivis Veckagans stressed: «All our actions are systematic: dredging works, construction of hydraulic structures, ensuring ice campaigns, safety of navigation and fleet renewal are necessary steps to develop competitive and viable Ukrainian ports.»
