Andrei Smirnov, BoD Chairman, Kostroma Marine Engineering Plant: “We like building boats and we can make each of them a unique one”

Kostroma Marine Engineering Plant is among the best known manufacturers of boats in Russia. Andrei Smirnov, Chairman of the plant’s BoD, tells IAA PortNews about the company, import substitution, required measures of state support and industry development trends.

- Mr. Smirnov, the shipyard you have been heading for many years is long known for its boats. Over the period of changes it has not lost but even built up its capacity to manufacture modern products that are much-in-demand in the market today … How could you do that?
 
- Our shipyard was set up in 1934. Over the 80-year period it was not idle for a single day and it produced tens of thousands of boats including icebreaking tugboats of Project 1427, timber floating boats ЛС 56 А and КС-100, special purpose boats Т-135, fuelling boats, firefighting boats, cargo/passenger and other boats. КС-100 is among the most widespread boats in Russia. It is popular due to its simple but reliable structure and to our water-jet propulsor, a unique product in the world. It has no protrusions on the hull and it is difficult to break. The boat is not afraid of shallow waters, dirt or gravel. Its reliability is confirmed by the fact that we are sometimes asked to supply spare parts for boats built 35-40 years ago.

The secret is simple – the desire and the ability to work, result-oriented approach and team spirit in challenging times. We like building boats and we can make each of them a unique one. We have always striving to achieve that and our results are good. The secret is also in long traditions, in the history. We keep it in mind, we improve our boats and we appreciate our experience.
 
- Tell about the results achieved in 2015. How many boats did you build? What is the dynamics, year-on-year?

- Last year we, like the entire industry, we in a challenging economic situation. Yet, our results were generally good. We even launched the production of two new boats – passenger boat КС-162 (for 44-56 seats) and a high-speed trimaran.  In our opinion, the passenger boat proved to be quite a success. With its load displacement of some 20 t and two engines with water-jet propulsion, it can achieve maximum speed of some 44-46 km/h while the total power is only 620 h/p and the length is 22 m. Not bad achievement. It is quiet in the cabin even at full speed, outfitting is like in a good commuter bus, hydraulic hand control and engines of domestic origin. 95% of the components are of domestic origin. The plant is proud of its boat!
 
As for a trimaran, the idea was to make something extreme. The speed of 6.5-meter long boat with a 200-h/p engine and a water jet propulsion is probably not high – some 74 km/h but the controllability and stability are very high. You can make any turn at the highest speed almost without.
 
Last year we laid the keel of a firefighting rescue boat with a propulsion plant of 930 h/p, domestic engines and water jets. We will test this 15-meter long boat this year.  We also built propeller-driven tugboats for ferry services.  In general, the year of 2015 was both difficult and very fruitful.

Chinese specialists have recently contracted us. Their rescue service numbers about twenty of our boats that have been in operation for over 25 years and they are satisfied with our products.

Today, our shipyard manufactures over 30 different modifications of boats from 4 to 22 meters long: patrol launches, diving and rescue boats, boom laying and firefighting boats, tugs and passenger boats.  

Our boats can be equipped with either one or two engines of different types, water jet or propeller propulsion. Now we can also equip boats with steerable pods turning 360° (of in-house production by the way). 

It is very good to ensure full cycle of production starting from designing and up to mechanical equipment. Even interior outfitting is tailor-made in compliance with the customer’s requirements.

Recent years have seen almost complete modernization of our facilities – we have installed the advanced equipment and built a new workshop. The shipyard is 80 years old but it is a modern facility.
 
- How do you see the prospects of the shipbuilding industry? What trends will be in demand up to 2020?

- There are a lot of plans but we have to put them into practice first … . In the nearest future the shipbuilders will be involved in strengthening the country’s defense capability, offshore development, revival of passenger transportion along the waterways of Russia. 

Shipping companies need new fleet today, with up-to-date characteristics. They also need measures encouraging replacement of obsolete vessels as the operational costs of the fleet that reached the end of its service life more than 10-15 years ago sinks the shipping companies both literally and figuratively.  

- What legislative measures could facilitate the development of shipbuilding in Russia?

- We are waiting for a programme to support domestic shipbuilding, introduction of protective duties on imports of second-hand goods, ban on imports of assembled units for shipbuilding. Only components should be imported.

Representative of our shipyard have recently visited China. They pursue a wise economic policy: there is a flat ban on purchase of new equipment outside China. If you want to sell boats in China you should arrange their production within the country. They told us they liked our boats but they cannot buy them because of that ban. 

They buy raw materials and samples of hi-tech products and then arrange domestic production in China. I think shipbuilders in Russia expect the same state policy in Russia, we want it badly. 

State support of shipbuilders is required in the form of utilization grants similar to that for clunker utilization programme. Obsolete vessels should be replaced with new ones with a discount. It is important to breathe life into passenger traffic, transportation of cargo, ferry services and fishery.  

It is not possible to go further without support provided to shipyards building boats of domestic components today. They make national economy vital, they load engine plants, production lines, steel and aluminum works, manufacturers of electronics…