The first Russian-built LNG-powered inland passenger vessel started her maiden voyage on August 30 from Kazan. The “Chaika LNG” (Chaika is the Russian for Seagull) was built at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard in Tatarstan.
The hull construction started in February this year, on August 7 the vessel was launched, and after completing certification trials and getting a permit for operations embarked on her maiden voyage.
The vessel is a pleasure boat with a passenger capacity of 176 people. The 58.8 m LOA, 10.8 m beam has a draft of 1.2 m. The crew consists of 3 people plus 8 people of onboard personnel.
She will be deployed on Russia’s inland waterways. It is planned to build no fewer than 20 similar ships in Tatarstan.