During the Eastern Economic Forum held this September in Vladivostok, the Russian flag was raised on the rail and truck ferry “Alexander Deyev” built at Amur Shipyard in the Russian Far East, United Shipbuilding Corporation said in a statement. President Vladimir Putin took part in the ceremony via videocon.
The vessel will be deployed on the Vanino – Kholmsk line between mainland Russia and the island of Sakhalin. It can carry 32 railcars and 12 trucks. The passenger capacity is up to 200 people. The ice class notation is Arc5, which means the ferry will be able to operate year-round.
The new ferry will improve the transport accessibility of Sakhalin for people, USC CEO Alexey Rakhmanov noted. The vessel has a passenger capacity twice as large as its predecessors built in the Soviet era.
The “Alexander Deyev” is a third vessel built by the USC for the region. Last year, the ro-pax ferries “Admiral Nevelskoy” and “Pavel Leonov” started operating between Sakhalin and the Kuril Isles.
The “Alexander Deyev” is the lead ship in a series of two ferries under construction for Sakhalin, Amur Shipyard MD Vladimir Kulakov reminded. The vessel design includes onboard internet area, a large dining area, and a sickbay for passengers’ convenience.
During the sea trials this summer, the vessel operated at a speed of 18.2 knots. In the ice conditions, she will be able to move at a speed of no less than 3 knots in ice 1 meter thick and 6-8 knots in ice 80 cm thick.
Photo: Amur Shipyard