OREANDA-NEWS. May 29, 2012. Dockside trials the VF Tanker-4, a tanker of RST27 Project build and launched on May 18th for Volga-Balt Tanker, began at Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard, the shipbuilding firm said.

The shipbuilder will be testing all onboard systems, accessories, safety systems, operation of two diesel engines WARTSILA 6L20 of rated power 1200 kW.

The fourth serial vessel VF Tanker-4 (Build No 02004) was laid down on December 20 2011. The RST27 Project VF Tanker-5 is scheduled for launching in June 15.

Overall, Krasnoye Sormovo was contracted to build ten tankers of RST27 project. The shipbuilding company may complete and deliver all the vessels by the end of this year (under the contract term - five in 2012 and five - in 2013).

The new tanker is the evolution of other MEB projects and features enhanced river function. The vessel deadweight was increased by 700 tons versus Armada series, with preserved cargo tanks capacity and enhanced hull's strength (vessel is of R2 sailing region, or II region due to old RS classification), MEB said.

The Project RST27 Volga-Don-max tankers with six cargo and two slop tanks are designed for mixed river-sea transportation of crude oil and petroleum products (two types of cargo), including gasoline, with no flash point limits (permanent temperature of 60є C). The double-sides and double-bottom hull ensures enhanced environmental safety. The RST27 project was developed by Odessa-based firm Marine Engineering Bureau to the class of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping KM Ice1 R2 AUT1-ICS OMBO VCS ECO-S Oil tanker (ESP).

The vessel’s main characteristics: sea / river DWT - 7022/5420 tons, LOA - 140.85 m, beam - 16.86 m, depth - 6 m, the volume of cargo tanks - 7828 cbm, of slop tanks - 280 cbm, of ballast tanks - 4650 cbm. Operational speed - 10 knots. Crew – 12. Accommodations – 14 (including a sanitary cabin and a pilot cabin). Endurance (in sea/river) – 20/12 days. The vessel is powered by two 1200kW Wartsila 6L20 main engines, fuel IFO380. Bow thruster – 292kW.The power plant consists of three diesel generators of 292 kW, plus an emergency diesel generator of 136 kW.

Like other mixed-sailing class vessels designed by MEB, the RST27 project tankers have full revolving rudder propellers, increased trunk and submersible cargo pumps. They have no longitudinal bulkhead in CL and no framing in cargo tanks.
 
JSC Krasnoye Sormovo Plant is one of the oldest Russian shipbuilding companies, founded back in 1849. All vessels built at Krasnoye Sormovo shipyard meet the requirements of MARPOL conventions, having the state-of-the-art equipment. MNP Group (Marine Oil & Gas Projects) engaged is the Company Manager of shipbuilding projects. The Group comprises shipbuilding and ship design companies based in Nizhny Novgorod - Krasnoye Sormovo Shipyard, Sormovskoe Engineering, Volgograd Special Engineering Plant, and the Volga-Caspian Design Bureau.

Nizhny Novgorod-based VF Tanker LLC, a shipping division of UCL Holding was founded in 2001 in conjunction with Volga Shipping Company. The Company operates more than 40 ships of total tonnage of more than 170,000 tons. VF Tanker specializes in shipping of oil products via inland waterways from refineries (Belaya and Kama rivers) to St. Petersburg and further by seagoing ships to the ports of destination.