Ministry puts cost of new shipyard in Russia's Far East at 600 bln rubles

VLADIVOSTOK. Sept 5 (Interfax) - The cost of building the new Promezhutochnaya shipyard in Russia's Far East is estimated at 600 billion rubles, an Industry and Trade Ministry presentation at the Eastern Economic Forum indicated.

The ministry materials said that the shipyard will have capacity to build 12 vessels per year and is expected to go into operation in 2032.

The shipyard will be located in Promezhutochnaya Bay in Ussuri Bay. Land for the shipyard is now being registered and the next stage will be to prepare a feasibility study for the project.

The new United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) shipyard is intended to build vessels for Russia's merchant fleet. USC said it will be able to build bulk carriers, tankers with deadweight of up to 80,000 tonnes, up to 270 meters long and 38 meters wide; container ships with capacity of up to 6,000 TEU, length up to 300 meters and width up to 46 meters; and gas carriers with capacity of up to 170,000 cubic meters, length up to 305 meters and width up to 50 meters.

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Roman Chekushov, speaking at the forum, also gave an estimate of investment in another major shipbuilding project in the Far East, the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex. "The total amount, for example, in the development of the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex following the two phases of construction is planned at 337.5 billion rubles. Colossal investments," he said.

The ministry presentation said that the complex will have capacity to build 10 vessels per year and is also scheduled to go into operation in 2032.