Ukranian operator plans 100-vessel fleet with newbuild campaign

Ukrainian tugboat operator, builder and commodities shipping group Nibulon has announced plans to boost its fleet with new tugs and non-self-propelled barges.

It intends to construct new fleets of harbour tugs and pusher tugs as it increases operations in Ukraine.

Nibulon also intends to build, in its own shipyard, non-self-propelled vessels of 10,000 tonnes, non-self-propelled vessels of open type, inshore boats and a non-self-propelled oil tanker. Construction on these vessels and tugs is expected to start in May this year, once Nibulon has finished four new tugs that are part of its POSS-115 project and a self-propelled P-140 floating crane.

Nibulon did not release any technical details of the pusher vessels and harbour tugs it intends to build or their delivery dates.

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On 25 April, Nibulon said it plans to increase its fleet to 100 vessels with this newbuilding campaign.

It also updated progress on the POSS-115 project tug newbuildings. The first two, Nibulon-8 and Nibulon-9, were delivered in Q1 2019.

A third tug (Nibulon-10) has completed sea trials, where its manoeuvrability and speed performance were tested. Its towing winch was also tested, while radio and navigation equipment were adjusted.

Nibulon said this tug will be ready to enter service once the decks had a final paint coating and pipework was marked.

A fourth POSS-115 project tug, Nibulon-11, was being outfitted with specialists installing systems in the engineroom and connecting the main switchboard.

“Shipbuilders are installing the gear to lift the pilot house, insulating spaces and installing panel plating in the living accommodation,” said Nibulon.

All four are part of Nibulon’s production programme for 2018-2019 and will enhance the group’s ability to escort non-self-propelled vessels along the Dnipro River and the Buh-Dnipro-Lyman Canal.

Once these newbuildings are completed, Nibulon will operate 10 POSS-115 project tugs to transport commodities, particularly agricultural products. The previous tugs built and completed in Ukraine, Nibulon-5 and Nibulon-6, entered service in 2014.

This latest series of tugs will have an overall length of 37.2 m and shallow draught of 2.54 m to access inland waterways. Their main engines, supplied by Mitsubishi, have a total power capacity of 1,880 kW producing a top speed of 11 knots driving Rolls-Royce-supplied rudder-propellers. Also in the engineroom are Volvo-Penta diesel generators and Viessmann boilers. DMT is supplying the deck equipment.

The shipyard is also assembling and welding the hull of the P-140 floating crane. Specialists are testing the formed buoyancy compartments and installing pipework.