OREANDA-NEWS. July 26, 2011. Baltic Shipyard "Yantar" will launch on July 29 the Seliger, a Research and Trials Vessel ordered by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the shipbuilding firm said Tuesday.

The vessel specifications: LOA – 59,7 m, breadth overall – 10,8 m, displacement - about 1,117 tons, speed - 13 knots, cruising range - 1,000 miles, crew - 16 men and 9 members of the expedition.

The Seliger is the lead ship of Project 11 982, developed by the Central Maritime Design Bureau "Almaz". The newbuild contract was signed by Yantar Shipyard and the Ministry of Defense in February 2009. Keel-laying was held on July 8, 2009. The vessel is scheduled for delivery by the end of this year.

Kaliningrad-based Yantar Shipyard was founded on July 8,1945 on the basis of Koenigsberg branch of German’s Schichau Werft. The company specializes in construction and ship repair of warships and civil vessels. Throughout the years the Shipyard has built 154 warships and more than 500 merchant vessels. Currently, the major stakeholder of Baltiysky Shipyard Yantar is Western Center of Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation.