The dry cargo vessels “Astrol-1” and “Astrol-2” built to the order of Russia’s State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK) and operated by Astrol shipping company have been the first RSD59 design ships to have navigated the Northern Sea Route, GTLK said in a statement.
The vessels completed their voyage in August unassisted by icebreaker from Arkhangelsk to Cape Zeleny (the settlement of Cherny on the Kolyma River). It took almost 40 days ships to cover the distance of more than 5,000 miles.
RSD59 vessels are designed by the Maritime Engineering Bureau to transport general cargo and solid bulk including timber and logs, packaged sawn goods, metal scrap, steel rolls as well as high and heavy cargo, coal, dangerous and B category cargo.
The RSD59 series is the largest built at Russian yards during the past 10 years. According to GTLK, as of October 1 the company’s portfolio included 63 RSD59 dry cargo vessels including 17 units under construction and 46 units already leased to operator.