Press release dated           25 Oktober 2005

Baltiysky Zavod, JSC has proceeded to metal cutting for the second multipurpose diesel-electric icebreaker built for FSUE Rosmorport. The keel-laying of this multifunctional vessel designed for tanker icebreaking escort in the Gulf of Finland will take place in January, 2006.

Baltiysky Zavod won an international tender for construction of the series of line icebreaker in July, 2004. The keel of the leadship named the Moskva was laid in May, this year. Currently the Baltiysky Zavod specialists are working on the ship's parallel middle body. Six major sections have been already assembled on the yard's slipway. The customer will take the delivery if the first icebreaker in early February, 2007.

During construction of the leadship in the series, the customer has introduced a number of changes in the ship's design intended to optimise the icebreaker's operational features. The second vessel is being built according to the ready-made updated design. Due to prompt reaction of the Baltiysky Zavod designers it was possible to adjust the contractual dates for the benefit of the customer. Initially the launching of the second icebreaker was contracted for February, 2007, however, the launching is supposed to take place as early as October, 2006.

Presently, Baltiysky Zavod, JSC is in pre-contract negotiations with FSUE Rosmorport about placing the order for a third icebreaker in the series to be built by the yard.

The diesel-electric icebreakers built by Baltiysky Zavod, JSC are designed for operations in the port of Primorsk being the largest oil port in Russia.

Info:

The line diesel-electric icebreaker is a double-decker with a helicopter deck to accommodate Ka-32 or Ka-226 helicopter. Displacement is about 10 thousand tons, length 116 m, beam 26.5 m, draft 8.5 m, speed in open water 17 knots. Complement is 25 men. The hull of the icebreaker is designed to break the ice of over 1 meter in thickness.

The icebreaker is intended for assistance of large tankers of 40-50 m in breadth, towing operations in ice and open waters, emergency/rescue operations and emergency aid to ships, recovery of oil and chemicals spillage in open sea, and fire fighting.