Shipyard Lotus (Astrakhan) lays down modified chemical carrier of Project RST25 for Volgotrans
Ceremonial keel-laying of RST25 Project tanker has been held today, March 25, 2016, at Astrakhan-based shipyard Lotus (United Shipbuilding Corporation). 6,610DWT Volgo-Don Max class ship (Hull No 25006) being built for shipping company Volgotrans is the third vessel of this project under construction at Lotus shipyard, says the project designer Marine Engineering Bureau.
Unlike the first two vessels, this one’s design has been modified to build a tanker – oil product carrier – chemical tanker IMO2. Apart from the conventional oil cargo it will be able to carry also vegetable oils and chemical cargo.
As of today, there five vessels of this project operating at inland water ways, in the Caspian, Black and Mediterranean Seas. The vessels were built by Nobel Brothers Shipyard (Rybinsk) and Zelenodolsk Shipyard. Lotus is to deliver two tankers to Moscow River Shipping Company in spring 2016.
When designing the RST25 tankers the naval engineering firm took into account special requirements of the Russian and international oil companies and environmental requirements of the Russian River Register ECO 3 (CLEAN DESIGN - DNV).
The ship is being built to the class of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping: Oil tanker/Chemical tanker type 2 (ESP).
The vessels of Project RST25 are intended for mixed river-sea transportation of crude oil and petroleum products, including gasoline, with no flash point limits and cargo temperature of 60°С, as well as vegetable oils and chemical cargo. Simultaneous transportation of 2 sorts of cargo is provided.
The vessels of Project RST25 of Volga-Don Max classmeet the dimensions of the Volga-Don Ship Canal and Volga-Baltic Waterway. LOA - 139.99 m, beam - 16.6 m, depth - 5.5 m.
As compared with other projects, the new tanker features an increased river function, deadweight increased by 410 tonnes versus Armada series.
The vessel’s main characteristics: capacity of six cargo tanks and two slop tanks – 6,990 cubic meters, sea / river DWT – 6,610 / 5,130 tonnes with draft of 4.17 / 3.6 m, operational speed – 10.5 knots, endurance - 20 days, crew 12 (14)..
The vessel is equipped with two medium-speed diesels, 1,200 kW each, operating on IFO380.
The lead ship of Project RST25, the Sergei Terskov (hull No 25004) was laid down at Lotus on September 6, 2011 and launched on July 24, 2015. The delivery is expected in spring 2016.
The second ship of Project RST25, the Yakov Gunin (Hull No 25005) was laid down at Lotus September 6, 2011 and launched on September 26, 2015. The delivery is expected in spring 2016.
Lotus Shipyard OJSC specializes in construction of hulls for different vessels and in their complete fitting. From 2012, the company is managed by United Shipbuilding Corporation OJSC. The company’s major shareholders are United Shipbuilding Corporation OJSC, Caspian Energy Group OJSC, Arkhangelsk Region Government.
