Russian shipbuilder Nefteflot has laid the keels of two new ferries in a series for operation in Russia's Samara Region.
The Project MPKS-L vessels will be slightly smaller variants of the earlier Project MPKS series of ferries. Like the ferries in the baseline series, the Project MPKS-L vessels will be capable of operation along inland and coastal waterways.
Although the Project MPKS-L ferries are around two metres shorter than their Project MPKS sisters, they have the earlier vessels' 2.75-metre depths, six-strong crew complements, and capacities for 240 passengers. The passengers will be accommodated in two enclosed cabins on the main and upper decks and an aft open area on the upper deck.
The enclosed cabins have cushioned reclining seats with adjustable armrests, folding tables, and multimedia interfaces.
The ferries will be owned by State Transport Leasing Company and operated under lease by Samara River Passenger Enterprise.
As with the Project MPKS ferries, the Project MPKS-L vessels were designed by the R-Flot Group of Companies in compliance with Russian Classification Society rules including those under the ice20 notation.
Two other Project MPKS-L ferries are under construction at Nefteflot's Samara facilities.
