At the Lotos Shipyard, which is part of the state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation, the first block for a new class of Russian domestic containerships that can also carry dry bulk cargo was laid down. The ships, according to the shipbuilding corporation, will be a significant part of Russia's plans for the North-South International Transport Corridor and demonstrate that Russian shipbuilding is continuing despite sanctions.
The first of four vessels that will lead the class are in the process of being built. The vessels have a maximum length of 463 feet, a beam of 55 feet, and a depth of up to 20 feet, making them suitable for use in the Volga-Don Canal. The 60-mile long stream opened during the 1950s makes it conceivable to cruise from Holy person Petersburg to the Caspian Ocean.
The vessels were designed by the USC's Vympel Design Bureau in Nizhny Novgorod. They claim that the design is unique because it can carry any dry cargo, including grain, timber, and lumber, general cargo, in two holds in addition to containers. Additionally, the vessels will have a substantial capacity for oversized cargo. The limit will change between 5,000 tons for waterway transport, where it is restricted to a draft of roughly 12 feet, and 9,200 tons for ocean transport. The vessels will be propelled by two rudder propellers at speeds of up to 10 knots and two medium-speed diesel engines with 1200 kW each. Additionally, there will be two 400 kW auxiliary diesel generators that can power 60 refrigerated containers.
The Astrakhan Region's Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Energy states that the goal is to construct 21 vessels for the North-South trade. The new corridor will require at least 45 ships of the Volga-Don Max class over the long term, according to officials. The construction of each vessel is anticipated to cost about $22 million.
The keel laying on May 4 marked the beginning of the project, according to USC officials, as evidence of the strength of Russian shipbuilding. The Lotos Shipyard where the vessels are being fabricated was one of 28 auxiliaries as well as Joined Shipbuilding Organization assigned by the U.S. Branch of State in April 2022 as being essential for the Russian protection foundation. The authorizations executed because of the conflict in Ukraine forestall U.S. organizations from working with, supporting, or giving supplies to the endorsed shipyards.
The new vessels are important for an arrangement featured by Russia to fabricate exchange on the Caspian Ocean. The corridor connects Iran's road and rail networks and covers approximately 4,500 miles. The final destination is Bandar Abbas's port, where cargo can also travel by sea to India. Additionally, cargo can be delivered to Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan via branches along the route.
Russian authorities detailed that they expect with the commitment of these new vessels exchange will develop emphatically along this course. They stated that the route currently moves 17 million tonnes and will move 32 million tonnes by 2030.
In 2024, the first of the new vessels is expected to enter service. In the first year, two ships of the class will be delivered, and in 2025, two more ships will be delivered.
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