WIG crafts to be used for transportation in Primorye from 2022

Terminal Aquatica LLC, a resident of Free Port of Vladivostok, is going to launch a high-speed sea transport system in Primorye with involvement of WIG crafts. According to the press center of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, the project estimated at RUB 93 million will be implemented in cooperation with Soyuzmortrans LLC under the auspices of Russian technical society of shipbuilders named after A.N. Krylov as part of the agreement with Far East Development Corporation JSC.  

Arkady Potapenko, General Director of Terminal Aquatica LLC, says WIG crafts have the features of airplanes and ships in terms of cargo capacity and speed. They can be operated at different routes.

“Its propulsion with a dynamic support effect ensures amphibiousness, incomparably low energy consumption, environmental friendliness and all-season operation in sea and river water areas”, he explained.

Development of coastwise sea transportation involving innovative type of transport will have several phases. The first one foresees the construction of onshore infrastructure and launching of high-speed lines between Vladivostok and Slavyanka, Vladivostok and Bolshoi Kaman, Vladivostok and Nakhodka. They will represent the core of the high-speed maritime transport system Ekranoflot-Primorye. Crafts of domestic production are to be operated on the lines. 

Onshore infrastructure in the Patrokl Bay of the Gulf of Ussuriysk will include a passenger terminal with a parking, a hangar for WIG crafts, a slipway, a pontoon pier for passengers.

The project will create 15 jobs. As of today, Terminal Aquatica LLC has come to preliminary agreements on joint construction of IVOLGA-type and Navigator-type WIG crafts, training of specialists and pilots in Vladivostok with participation of the following partners: National Institute of Aviation Technologies JSC, Soyuzmortrans LLC, research&production complex TREK CJSC and other ad hoc organizations.

Transport lines are to start functioning in the second quarter of 2022.