Sechin tells Putin, Modi about Zvezda shipyard's modernization, future products
BOLSHOI KAMEN (Primorye Territory). Sept 4 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi have come to the Zvezda shipyard to familiarize themselves with progress of the plant's modernization and future products.
Modernization of Zvezda began after Putin ordered to create a shipbuilding cluster in the Far East. Rosneft head Igor Sechin briefed the leaders on the two-stage project that is being implemented by the Rosneft-led investors consortium. He provided detailed information about future construction of a unique dry dock for building ships of any size, including ones several times larger than existent aircraft carriers.
The modernized plant will be able to build commercial cargo ships, marine platforms, support vessels, primarily those of business class, as well as oil and gas tankers.
Sechin showed mockups of future ships to Putin and Modi. Putin gave some explanations to Modi, as well, and called his attention to the mockup of an icebreaker.
"This is the world's largest nuclear-powered icebreaker. It can crush ices of practically any thickness, up to four meters. It has been decided to build such ice-class ships for the purpose of year-round navigation on the norther route," Putin said.