The first Russian Aframax tanker Vladimir Monomakh was heaved off at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex.

First Russian Aframax tanker, Vladimir Monomakh, launched at Zvezda shipyard

The powerful new-generation tanker is designed to transport oil in unrestricted navigation. The vessel is designed in compliance with high environmental safety standards. The main and additional power supply units can operate on both traditional and green fuel, the liquefied natural gas, which meets new world environmental standards.

The length of the vessel is 250 metres, width 44 metres, deadweight 114 000 tonnes, speed 14.6 knots, ice class ICE-1A. Zvezda’s portfolio already has 12 orders for vessels of such type.

The launch of the 1st vessel on Zvezda was a unique operation. The Aframax tanker was launched with the Vympel floating transfer dock, one of the largest in Russia. Preparation for the launch took almost a day. Within this time, the tanker was rolled by a vessel trolley-transporter from the open outfitting slip to the floating dock, and then taken to the waters.

The construction history of this type of tankers has begun with the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex in September 2017. It was then that a package agreement was signed for the design, construction, technical supervision, operation and training of the crews of 10 Aframax class tankers.

On September 11, 2018, in the presence of Vladimir Putin, the laying of the 1st Aframax class tanker with a deadweight of 114 000 tonnes took place.

Prior to heaving off the 1st tanker, 4 Aframax tankers were in production at the heavy outfitting berth, and metal cutting was carried out for the 5th one in February 2020. The vessels are being built for Rosnefteflot.

Aframax tankers will be the 1st of this class built in Russia. The tankers are equipped with the most advanced class A automation system. High sustainability of the tankers is especially important for the work in the Arctic region.

Source: Neftgas