Russian Shipyard Holds Keel-Laying Ceremony

The solemn keel-laying ceremony of small-size missile ship Veliky Ustyug was held on Aug 27, 2011; it will be the third serial ship of Project 21631 developed by JSC Zelenodolsk Design Bureau for Russian Navy. Ships of this project are used for defense and protection of economic zone and have twice as large displacement as their prototype — Project 21630 small-size gunnery ship.

Lead ship of this project was laid down on Aug 27, 2010 on the eve of the Tatarstan Republic Day and obtained the name of Grad Sviyazhsk. The second ship of this project laid down on July 22, 2011 was named Uglich. Among the honored guests attended the keel-laying ceremony were Prime Minister of Tatarstan Ildar Khalikov and Caspian Flotilla Commander Rear Admiral Sergei Alekminsky. Congratulating the shipwrights, he said: “Today we’re taking part in the keel-laying of another unique and the most advanced ship in her class. Having walked over the shipyard and assessed your capabilities, I hope that construction terms will be shortened, since Russian Navy needs such ships badly“.

Soon the third serial ship of this project is going to come into the world.

Project 21631 small-size missile ships are multipurpose ‘river-sea’ class ships armed with the most up-to-date gun, missile, anti-terror, radar, and antiaircraft weapons capable to destroy both sea and land targets.

Thanks to Tatarstan Government, Zelenodolsk Shipyard is provided with large and prospective orders. In the current year, the yard is supposed to deliver 5 ships; two of them have been already handed over to Vietnam (Project Gepard-3.9 frigates). Recently, Vietnamese national flag was hoisted at the second ship.

Presently, Zelenodolsk Shipyard is the only Russia’s shipbuilding company established batch production of river- and sea-going fast-speed passenger vessels. Since 2006, river fleet has received 5 comfortable ships of the new generation integrating shipbuilding and aviation technologies. Today, the shipyard builds two Project A145 vessels designed to carry locals and guests of Sochi during Winter Olympics 2014. In Sept 2011 the first ship is to be presented at the X International Investment Forum in Sochi.

Ships of that project have present-day appearance, meet navigation safety requirements, and conform to international ecological standards. Being fast-speed glissade-type comfortable passenger ships with self-controlled movement dynamics (‘mechanized bottom’), they will shift obsolete vessels of Meteor, Kometa, Kolhida, Voskhod classes. The order is being executed in accordance with requirements of globally-known certification center Bureau Veritas​.

JSC Zelenodolsk Shipyard gained national recognition and won the title of Best Russian Exporter 2010 in shipbuilding. Models of new ships, fast-speed vessels, and motorships (A45-90, A45-4) aroused interest amid participants of the XV International Economic Forum and other known exhibitions.

Through recent two years, the shipyard has been actively developing. Keel-laying of new serial ships for Russian Navy and friendly states has considerably improved prestige of the shipyard as a dynamically developing shipbuilding company.

[mappress]
Source: rusnavy, August 29, 2011;