Vladimir Putin has come with a business trip to Primorsky krai: president has visited “Zvezda” shipbuilding complex, which in the nearest future will become one of the biggest shipyards in the world. In the years ahead, the biggest civil vessels will be constructed here. The shipyard is under construction now but the first orders have already been received. The president promised that he would personally monitor the load plan of the complex.

The bay of Bolshoi Kamen is not just a new shipbuilding cluster, it is a priority development area, there are already lots of such areas in the Far East. Investments are counted on, therefore special terms for the residents are offered. Dozens of companies have already announced their intention to come to the bay.

“Zvezda” shipbuilding complex is shining brighter and brighter. This is the first  Russian shipyard of large-capacity vessels construction, where different objects will be launched- from the gas-tankers to the huge offshore drilling and exploration platforms. On 8 September, in the presence of the president, keel laying ceremony of four vessels was held- “Catherine the Great”, “Saint Mary”, “Vladimir Monomakh” and “Alexander Nevsky”. These are future multiple ice breaker supply vessels.

In fact, company with a history is being built from scratch.

“I have first-hand knowledge of the situation in the shipyard, I am constantly keeping track of it. It is pleasant to note that this large-scale project, important for the whole country, is developing steadily, moving forward. Almost all works are being performed at the shipyard in accordance with schedule. And it is imperative that construction of vessels and marine facilities has already been started”, Vladimir Putin noted.

A new “Zvezda” is being built at the expense of oil producers. “Rosneft” provides the pilot load. First tankers are being specially built for the shelf projects of the country. But first of all- the shipyard itself. The builders are delivering the land based construction area ahead of schedule- seven giant cranes were installed on it.

There have been no such powerful cranes in Russia yet. “Goliath” is considered to be the biggest crane in the world in relation to the load capacity, height and width of the entry.

“There are cranes with load capacity up to 900 tons”, Alexandr Kolbin, director of the direction of construction of “Zvezda” shipbuilding complex explains.

-         And this crane capacity is 1200 tons?

“Yes, 1200 tons. This is the first and the only crane in Russia”, Kolbin noted. A new dry dock, additional workshops are being constructed, so dozen giant cranes will be delivered soon”.

“When putting dry dock into operation, the overall steel production of the shipyard will amount to 300 000 tons per year. It will be the biggest shipyard in Russia. We will be able to construct vessels of different classes for the Russian customers”, Yuriy Filchenok, Director General  of the Far Eastern shipyard “Zvezda”, noted.
The complete start of the shipyard is planned in 7 years, orders are already scheduled for years to come.

Foreign partners are also interested in the shipyard potential. Those who want to order vessels here and those who want to participate in the construction.
“The most interesting projects for us are those connected with the ice breakers construction. Shipbuilding industry is rapidly developing in Russia. Collaborating with local shipyards we can increase production in Russia and get the mutual benefit”, Dae-young Park, president of Samsung Heavy Industries, says.
"At the moment it is important to solve the main strategic goal- to start the construction of the complete line of large capacity and medium vessels, marine facilities. Forward plan of the shipyard load till 2035 has already been approved. I expect it will be fulfilled. I am sure that the company staff and your colleagues realize the scale and importance of the tasks, and do all their best to create a competitive shipbuilding center for the construction of the advanced and actual products. “Zvezda” will definitely join the rank of the leading Russian and foreign shipyards”, Vladimir Putin directs.  

“Rosneft” Chief Executive Officer reported to the president that the complete start of the shipyard will provide the town with more than seven thousand working positions. New residential areas are being built. “ Despite high cost loading, company allocated funds for the construction of six residential houses for 444 flats, two of which have already been built. Delivery of the remaining four houses is scheduled for the end of 2018,” Igor Sechin,  Rosneft Chief Executive Officer reported.

It is planned to turn Bolshoi Kamen into a full-fledged sea port, one of the biggest logistic centers in the Far East.

Based on the materials of the website Vesti.ru dated 8 September 2017