President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin visited Zvezda shipyard in the town of Bolshoi Kamen, Primorsky Krai, where he participated in the ceremony of sections laying for four ice-class supply vessels and commissioning heavy outfitting dock which is unique for the Russian Federation.

"Today, it is important to start accomplishing the main long-term strategic task and to launch production of full-fledged medium and large capacity vessels and marine technology as soon as possible” – President said. “I know that a long-term plan for utilising the enterprise’s production facilities up to 2035 has already been approved. I hope that this plan will be implemented. In fact, I will monitor this project closely because it is probably a key precondition for the enterprise’s success. Not only Rosneft but also Gazprom, Novatek and other Russian companies must put this plan into practice and place orders on time. Maybe, they should submit even more orders because Zvezda certainly has the potential for handling more orders than provided for in this plan".

The Head of State noted that "Zvezda shipyard is a large-scale project, significant for the whole country which is confidently developing and moving forward." "Work at the enterprise is in line with schedule, construction of ships and marine equipment has already begun," he added.

Vladimir Putin congratulated the plant's employees on the laying down of multifunctional supply vessels of reinforced ice class that would be "commissioned by Rosneft and will strengthen the company’s potential and that of the entire national fuel and energy sector, as well as promote the development of the Northern Sea Route." Four supply vessels are being built jointly with a technological partner of  Zvezda, Dutch company Damen.

Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin reported on the progress of the project to set up a shipbuilding cluster in the Far East of Russia, which is being implemented following the instructions of the Head of State.

According to Igor Sechin, the dock commissioned ahead of schedule is equipped with a powerful crane farm consisting of seven cranes, including the unique 1200 t Goliath crane, one of the largest in the world in its dimensions (139 meters high, the length of the transverse beam is 230 meters). The maximum capacity of cranes at the existing Russian shipyards does not exceed 500 tons.

In his report, Igor Sechin noted that the Zvezda product line will be focused on medium- and large-tonnage commercial vessels for cargo transportation, offshore drilling, exploration and production platforms and service fleet vessels, primarily those of ice class. The key elements of the production program will be special tankers and gas carriers for the transportation of hydrocarbons."The construction of such vessels will require unique technical solutions most of which are brand new for the Russian shipbuilders," Sechin said.

"We have designed ice class vessels with Damen, drilling platforms – with Keppel and ship equipment with General Electric," said Rosneft Chief Executive Officer.

"The portfolio of orders includes 14 vessels," Igor Sechin said. "In order for the shipyard to be economically efficient, the required quantity of orders for ships and marine equipment must reach 178 by the year of 2035 – average large-capacity vessels and marine equipment".

The company's Head noted that agreements have been signed with joint venture of Zvezda and Hyundai Heavy Industries to perform the design work for Aframax class tankers on gas engine fuel and an Heads of Terms with Samsung Heavy Industries for the establishment of a joint venture to manage the construction of Arctic shuttle tankers.

"I am confident," said the President of the Russian Federation, " that the company’s staff, you and your colleagues comprehend the scale and importance of our tasks, and that you will do everything possible to establish a competitive shipbuilding centre capable of manufacturing modern and highly popular products. Zvezda is sure to join the list of leading shipyards in Russia and internationally.

Report of Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin

Rosneft Information Division
Tel.: + 7 (499) 517-88-97
September 8, 2017