Ukraine plans 23-vessel workboat buying spree for local operations

On June 21, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) and American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine held an event called Ukrainian ShipYard Day, and presented a fleet renewal program for USPA out until 2021. Specialists of the USPA presented a prospective program of acquisition and construction of the enterprise’s vessels for the period 2017 – 2021 to representatives of member companies of the chamber, as well as the largest foreign and Ukrainian shipbuilding companies.

“It is much more profitable for the state to develop its own fleet for regular work, rather than to attract contractors for these volumes,” commented Raivis Veckagans, head of the USPA. “Therefore, the USPA will invest in this direction and will do it systematically and transparently.”

The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority intends to purchase 20 vessels, including six pilot boats, seven multi-purpose workboats and a modern icebreaker to ensure the safety of navigation at the Azov Sea. USPA also plans to renew its dredging fleet, involving the purchase of a sounding boat, a self-propelled suction dredge and a self-propelled dump scow, increasing the volume of operational dredging that USPA will be able to carry out by its own means without involving contractors.

“At the moment, unfortunately, the USPA can not perform all dredging by its own resources, which leads to an increase in their cost and terms of implementation,” added President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, Andrei Gunder. “That is why business supports the initiative to renew and develop the Ukrainian fleet. Shipbuilding is in the stage of stagnation due to the lack of both state support and investment. Business support of USPA in developing a clear strategy of action, involving companies with international experience and transparent tender procedures is an important factor at this stage.”

According to the head of the technical service of the USPA, Gennady Garas, the fleet of the USPA is outdated, with many vessels being obsolete since they were built 30 years ago. “In recent years, the enterprise has acquired only a multifunctional vessel Sea Ant, and we closed on the fact that we can not lag behind the progress. We need modern, functional, and powerful vessels for work. Their use is more economical than the old, not repaired fleet,” he added.