In the Astrakhan region, the construction of a vessel has started, which has not yet been built in our country. At least in recent history. We are talking about a universal container ship, which we today critically need as part of the development of the Russia-Iran-India trade route.
It is worth recalling that the production of Project 1609 Atlantic container ships was mastered in the USSR. However, after the collapse of the country, they stopped building ships, and most of the already finished ships suffered a sad fate - they were sold for scrap.
However, one Soviet container ship still managed to “survive” until 2021. It was purchased by the US Navy and used as a military transport ship.
As for Russia, for a long time we did not need our own container ships. The main emphasis in the country was placed on expanding port capacities, and foreign companies provided us with cargo transportation services. So it was before the start of the NMD and the introduction of unprecedented sanctions against Russia ...
It would seem that the situation that developed in 2022 should have become critical and jeopardized our trade with friendly countries. However, in Russia they quickly found a way out. So, in March last year, Vympel Design Bureau presented a draft dry cargo ship 00108, and this month, the first such ship was laid at the Lotos production site of the Southern Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Center, which will be ready for operation next year.
Moreover, by 2025 it is planned to build 3 more such ships, and a total of 45 container ships of project 00108 can be launched.
Finally, it is worth noting that the above-mentioned vessels will have a serious advantage over foreign counterparts and it lies in versatility. Firstly, project 00108 dry cargo ships will be able to operate both at sea and in rivers and even canals. Secondly, in addition to containers (including refrigerated ones), any type of dry cargo can be transported in the holds of a ship.