Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Icebreakers build by Baltiysky Zavod work twice as much as in 2010
Transit traffic along the Northern Sea Route will significantly grow in 2011, said assistant director general of FSUE Atomflot Mikhail Belkin at theArctic Frontiers conference held in Norway. As for now, Atomflot has received 15 requests for icebreaker assistance in contrast to 4 requests in the same period of 2010. According to Norwegian shipowners, use of the Northern Sea Route makes possible not only to cut cargo delivery time and reduce fuel expenditures but also to except all piracy-related risks widespread around the Suez Canal.
Forty years ago Baltiysky Zavod shipyard laid down nuclear-powered icebreaker Arktika; all subsequent ships of this project presently provide icebreaker assistance along the Northern Sea Route. Currently,Baltiysky Zavod is the Russia's only shipyard building nuclear-powered surface ships. Thanks to construction of floating nuclear power plant Akademik Lomonosov, the yard again has lined up a unique process chain of nuclear-powered shipbuilding, adjusted connection with contracting organizations and suppliers of special equipment, selected well-qualified experts and so forth.
Considering trends to increase the role of this sea route and forthcoming decommission of all active icebreakers by 2015-2016 (except 50 Let Pobedy), building of new ships becomes increasingly urgent.
JSC Baltiysky Zavod shipyard (member of the United Industrial Corporation) is one of the Russia's largest shipbuilding companies. It is specialized in construction of icebreakers and ice-class vessels (both nuclear-powered and diesel), heavy-tonnage vessels, and warships; produces wide range of engineering products and power-generating equipment; is a supplier of non-ferrous and steel castings.
According to annual report of Ministry of Industry and Trade made in 2010, JSC Baltiysky Zavod was named among leaders in special shipbuilding segments after construction of a diesel electric icebreaker for FSUERosmorport.
Damaged Indian frigate sank
Being damaged during exit of Mumbai port, an Indian frigate sank after an onboard fire, reports ITAR-TASS referring to Egyptian news agencies. So far, none official representatives have commented the accident.
INS Vindhyagiri collided with commercial vessel North Lake while leaving Mumbai port on Sunday. As a result, the frigate's bow was damaged; the ship was towed to a naval base. This morning a fire occurred on board the warship. All crewmembers were evacuated. Firefighters failed to bring the fire under control.
The ship had been in service since 1981.
Vice President of TNK-BP visited Northern Fleet
Vice President of TNK-BP and director of TNK-BP Orenburg branch Alexander Grabovsky visited Murmansk region in Jan 28-30 with a delegation from Orenburg region headed by the governor Yury Berg; delegates visited units of Northern Fleet (NF) where submarine Orenburg is based.
The history of cooperation between Orenburg region and Northern Fleet (NF) started in 1997 under initiative of local NF veterans who offered to take one of ships under patronage. This idea was supported by regional administration. In Sept 1997 the then-Navy Commander Vladimir Kuroyedov ordered to give one of submarines the name of Orenburg; the first agreement of cooperation was signed in the next year.
The region had helped submariners to overcome difficult years of reforms and to perform various national defense tasks. Under the framework of patronage agreement, Orenburg companies and organizations have been sending money to submariners, helping them in repairs of service facilities, buying automobile transport and household appliances, and supported servicemen in other ways.
The delegates laid wreaths on water in remembrance of Northern Fleet mariners died while defending the native land in wars and in peacetime. Members of the official delegation visited the central station of a nuclear-powered submarine and attended traditional "submariner sacring" ceremony.
The guests visited a submarine division based in Olenya Bay, and saw service and living conditions of submariners. Also, they held meetings with crewmembers of submarine Orenburg.
Patronage plans include repair of barracks, construction of a hangar, and resolving of some other problems. Military and patriotic education of youngsters is also a work of no little significance.
Subsequent agreement between Orenburg region and NF nuclear submarine division regarding cooperation till 2015 was signed during the visit. The solemn signing ceremony was held in Severomorsk with participation of NF Commander Admiral Nikolai Maksimov and Orenburg Governor Yury Berg. The ceremony was also attended by the chairman of parliamentary committee on defense MP Viktor Zavarzin and other delegates.
Another noteworthy event was concerts of Orenburg vaudeville studio "Class" and rock band "Combat". Two concerts arranged for NF servicemen were excellently performed and warmly met by the audience.
"Submariners deserve great respect. Their strength of fortitude, physical endurance, and heroism made the same strong impression on me as the nuclear-powered submarine they serve in", said Alexander Grabovsky.
Speaking of the agreement signed between Orenburg region and NF nuclear submarine division, he pointed out that changes in regional leadership had not affected good relations with Northern Fleet.
Severodvinsk shipbuilders prepare INS Vikramaditya for mooring trials
Defense shipyard Sevmash (Severodvinsk) launched preparations for mooring trials of INSVikramaditya (former Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov), reported Friday ITAR-TASS referring to the shipyard's press service.
Mainly, what is to be done in the nearest time is assembly of auxiliary steam pipeline system and air conditioning system. "Completion of these works will mark the beginning of mooring trials", specified the shipyard's press service. Basically, all interior works are almost completed.
According to the package intergovernmental agreement signed in New Delhi in Jan 2004, the hull of Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov was handed over to India for free, providing that the ship would be retrofitted at Sevmash shipyard and equipped with Russian-made air wing.
Russia will also train about 1,500 Indian crewmembers and construct basing infrastructure in the Indian Ocean. Overall cost of the contract was initially evaluated as $1.5 bln, and all works were planned to be completed in 2008. However, deadlines were postponed. Russian party complained about underestimating of the scope of works and demanded additional payments. A supplement agreement specifying revised costs of repair and upgrade works on INSVikramaditya (stands for "Almighty") was signed on March 12, 2010 during a visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to India. According to Indian party, purchase of the Russian aircraft-carrier will cost $2.33 bln.
Sevmash plans to complete modernization and start mooring trials this year. Late in 2012 the aircraft carrier must be delivered to Indian Navy. Presumably, lifetime of the ship would make 30 years.
Russian Graney class nuclear sub to enter service in 2015
The Russian Navy will receive a second Graney class nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine in 2015, a spokesman for the Malakhit design bureau said.
The construction of the Kazan submarine at the Sevmash Shipyard in the northern Russian city of Severodvinsk began in 2010. The first vessel of the Graney class, the Severodvinsk submarine, will enter service by the end of 2011.
"The hull of the Kazan sub has been built, but we still have to make many upgrades compared with the first vessel in the series. We are planning to deliver the submarine to the Navy in 2015," the official told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
The Kazan will feature more advanced equipment and weaponry than the Severodvinsk, which has been under construction since 1993.
Graney class nuclear submarines are designed to launch a variety of long-range cruise missiles (up to 3,100 miles or 5,000 km), with conventional or nuclear warheads, and effectively engage submarines, surface warships and land-based targets.
The submarine's armament includes 24 cruise missiles and eight torpedo launchers, as well as mines and anti-ship missiles.The Russian Navy will receive a second Graney class nuclear-powered multipurpose attack submarine in 2015, a spokesman for the Malakhit design bureau said.
The construction of the Kazan submarine at the Sevmash Shipyard in the northern Russian city of Severodvinsk began in 2010. The first vessel of the Graney class, the Severodvinsk submarine, will enter service by the end of 2011.
"The hull of the Kazan sub has been built, but we still have to make many upgrades compared with the first vessel in the series. We are planning to deliver the submarine to the Navy in 2015," the official told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
The Kazan will feature more advanced equipment and weaponry than the Severodvinsk, which has been under construction since 1993.
Graney class nuclear submarines are designed to launch a variety of long-range cruise missiles (up to 3,100 miles or 5,000 km), with conventional or nuclear warheads, and effectively engage submarines, surface warships and land-based targets.
The submarine's armament includes 24 cruise missiles and eight torpedo launchers, as well as mines and anti-ship missiles.
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