Preparatory work on the vessels intended for modernization will be carried out in Ukraine at the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company (UDP) plant, and the engines will be replaced in Austria. The first vessel of the "Captain Antipov" type is already being prepared for shipment to Austria.
"The river fleet of the Danube Shipping Company has an average age of more than 40 years. In order to continue the work of the Ukrainian fleet in the EU countries, capital modernization of self-propelled vessels with the replacement of engines with more ecological and energy-efficient ones is urgently needed. Last year, an agreement was signed with IFC in London aimed at attracting investment for these needs. To date, we have signed a contract with the Austrian company ÖSWAG for the modernization of the first five vessels of this series. ÖSWAG has vast experience in modernizing the old Danube fleet - both cargo and passenger.
The economic effect of modernizing one vessel per year is more than €800,000 and 20-25% of fuel. Also, thanks to this, it will be possible to ensure the reduction of downtime in repairs and the costs of finding and purchasing spare parts.
We believe that in cooperation we will be able to make the fleet more modern and reliable," commented Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine - Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine.
As part of the contract, Japanese Mitsubishi engines were contracted. In Ukraine, there are certified companies that can provide their service. Already in April, they should be delivered to the ÖSWAG plant.
The task of the engineers is to replace the engines in such a way that it does not affect the running qualities of the vessel. In addition, the engines must be retrofitted to meet Stage5 environmental requirements.
Simultaneously with the modernization project of the first 5, negotiations are ongoing regarding the modernization of other series of self-propelled vessels. According to Oleksandr Kubrakov, the strategic task is to modernize the entire UDP traction fleet, which currently has 45 units (25 in operation, 20 in reserve).