Construction starts on new Russian multi-purpose cargo ships

Russia's V.I. Lenin Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Yard has begun construction of six new Project RSD81 multi-purpose cargo vessels ordered by local customer State Transport Leasing Company (STLC).

Classed by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, the Project RSD81 vessels will be capable of transporting general and bulk cargo as well as 20- and 40-foot containers. Typical cargo examples will include grain, sawn timber, packaged lumber, scrap metal, steel coils, coal, IMDG Code-compliant dangerous goods in eight categories, and up to 385 TEUs.

The ships can be operated in R2 limited navigation areas in the open sea and in Russian inland waterways such as the Volga-Baltic and Volga-Don Canals.

Construction of STLC's Project RSD81 vessels is being undertaken with RUB4.8 billion (US$52 million) in funding support provided by the Russian government through the National Welfare Fund. Deliveries of all six ships are scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2026.