The Branch office «Delta-pilot» of SE «Ukrainian sea ports Authority» at the end of October 2018 announced a tender for the purchase of three pilot boats, USPA says in a press release.
“During 2018, by the branch office of USPA “Delta-Pilot” more than 18 thousand pilotage of vessels was carried out. In this case, accidents, the cause of which could be done by incorrect actions of pilots, not fixed. The zero level of accidents indicates a high level of training of pilots of the state enterprise and confirms the effectiveness of the unified pilotage service existing in Ukraine and the tactics chosen by the EU as the basis for navigation safety. For the further safe pilotage of vessels, it is necessary to update the fleet of pilot boats”, said the head of the USPA, Raivis Veckagans.
In accordance with technical requirements, specialized vessels must have a length of 17 meters and a maximum draft of 2 meters, the maximum speed at full displacement — of 15 knots. Also, the technical characteristics of the pilot boats should take into account the peculiarities of work in the Ukrainian ports in the winter period.
The expected cost of three boats including VAT is 274,644,000 UAH. All information about the tender are in open access on the resource «Prozorro».
In accordance with the Program for the renewal of the fleet of the USPA for the period 2017–2021, that was presented on July 21, 2017 at the Fleet Development Day (Ukrainian ShipYard Day — 2017), during 2018–2021 It is planned build/purchase six pilot boats.
At present, there are fourteen specialized pilot vessels on the balance of the “Delta-pilot” branch office of USPA, eight of which were built after 2001. The gradual replacement of pilotage vessels will maintain the safety of navigation in the area of responsibility of the USPA.