Composite solution

OJSC Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard (SNS), leader of composite shipbuilding in Russia, has mastered the technology of building hulls of composite materials through vacuum infusion method. Upon completion of modernization SNS capacity on implementation of state defence orders and construction of civil ships will grow two or even three times.

Saint-Petersburg based Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard is able to build warships and civil vessels of 4 types of materials: composite materials, shipbuilding steel, nonmagnetic steel, aluminum and fiberglass. The shipyard’s staff numbers some 1,700 persons including over 200 specialists in the field of composite technologies.

The shipyard not only implements military and civil shipbuilding projects but also organizes R & D works and produces composite structures for the Ministry of Defence, Rosatom, enterprises real sector of economy etc.

Last year Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard  launched the lead passenger catamaran made of composite material, Project 23290. As the shipyard told IAA PortNews, the ship will be put into test operation 2017. In the long-term, SNS is going to start serial production of passenger catamarans and also to embark on building vessels with passenger cabins. In the segment of civil shipbuilding SNS is also looking into serial production of ATB units and service boats. 

Production modernization

Several years ago Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard was included into a Federal Targeted Programme “Development of Defence Industry Complex”. That let the shipyard start modernization of its production facilities. Under the programme SNS purchased new equipment and software products, started upgrading the existing and construction of new facilities and workshops.

In 2007 the shipyard was included into the Federal Targeted Programme “Science and Technology Base”. Under the programme it started establishing a test production platform to elaborate the technology of making large hull structures of composite materials. 

The shipyard invests in comprehensive modernization rather than in separate elements of its production facilities. Construction of a test facility and a new workshop have already been completed as part of the programme on modernization and reconstruction of Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard to master and develop new composite technologies.

Besides, by the end of 2016 the shipyard completed reconstruction of Phase I of fiberglass production facility: bays 1-2 of hull shop block, workshop of plastic shipbuilding, workshop for construction of plastic boats and several general-purpose auxiliary facilities.

The reconstruction is underway at three large facilities: Phase II of fiberglass production facility (construction of new workshop for production of core layer panels through vacuum infusion method), six bays of hull shop block and a slipway (slipway carrying capacity will be increased from 650 to 2,700 t). Construction of the mentioned facilities is to be fully completed by 2018.

Financing of works

Reconstruction of Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard is financed by the federal budget and by the company’s own and borrowed resources. Expected payback period of the modernization is five years.

Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard also applies financing through leasing when it comes to procurement of technological equipment. To cover lease payments the shipyard makes use of state support measures under the sub-programme “Saint-Petersburg industry development” of the state programme of Saint-Petersburg “Development of industry, innovative activities and agricultural sector in Saint-Petersburg in 2015-2020”.

As part of this programme the shipyard also applies for reimbursement of expenses related to retraining and development of personnel, certification of management systems and participation in international exhibitions and fairs.

“Speaking about the customers it should be noted that the government undertakes unprecedented measures of civil shipbuilding support today, providing a possibility of financing under preferential conditions and through leasing”, representatives of the shipyard told IAA port news.

Margarita Babkova