ODESA, SEPTEMBER 20th, 2011, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE — Two multipurpose RSD18 vessels, Designed by Marine Engineering Bureau, Odesa, Ukraine, have been commissioned in China, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

The agency has been informed today, at the press service of the company.

According to their information, yesterday, 19 September, shipyard Hengyu, Ningbo, Dzhoushan island, China, held a solemn flag rise to two multi-purpose dry cargo vessels UCF-3 (building number RU-WH03) and UCF-4 (building number RU-WH04) project RSD18 designed for United Cargo Fleet.

Project RSD18 has been developed by Marine Engineering Bureau. The ships belong to, in compliance with the classification adopted in the Bureau, to the Azov five-thousanders — i.e. Azov-Caspian coasters, which are characteristic for the Russian ports at the Azov Sea and Caspian Sea ports (Astrakhan, Neka).

The vessels’ overall length — 123.17 m, breadth — 16.5 m, draught — 5.50 m.

RSD18’s deadweight at 4.20 m draught at sea is 5 thousand 185 tons, at 3.6 m draught in the river — 3 thousand 930 tons, at maximum of 4.67 m draught at sea — 6 thousand 125 tons.

The vessel’s hull was designed for 24-year lifespan.

If necessary, the vessel can operate at lower draughts in the river — 3.2 — 3.4 m. At 3.4 m draught in the freshwater her deadweight can reach 3 thousand 530 tons, which makes the vessel compatible with the Omsk dry cargo vessels.

Project RSD18 has been designed for mixed (river—sea) and sea transportation of general, bulk, grain and timber cargoes, international standard containers, coal and dangerous goods classes 1—5, 6.1, 8, 9.

The parameters of the vessel provide work through the Volga-Baltic way, and the Volga-Don canal, for use in the Azov and Caspian seas in winter (ice category LU1).

INFORMATION: OJSC Marine Engineering Bureau was registered on March, 23rd, 1995 in Odesa, Ukraine. It was founded by a group of scientists of the Shipbuilding Department, Odesa National Maritime University. OJSC Marine Engineering Bureau works out pre-contract classification projects, projects of “conversion”, upgrade and renewal of sea vessels for internal and mixed journeys. They also prepare projects for increasing carrying and container capacities of ships and other related work.