Sredne-Nevsky sets May 21 keel-laying for new research vessel

United Shipbuilding Corporation’s (USC) Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant will hold a keel-laying ceremony for a new research catamaran on Tuesday, May 21.

The vessel, to be named Pioner-M, will be operated by Sevastopol State University for oceanographic research and dive support duties in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

USC’s Zvezdochka Ship Repair Centre in Sevastopol will carry out the final assembly of the vessel.

Pioner-M will have a length of 25.7 metres, a beam of nine metres, a displacement of 65 tonnes, and a range of 430 nautical miles.