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26.11.21 11:41
Volga Shipping Company about dry-cargo vessels of RSD44 project with deadweight of 5543 tons in the river with reduced above-water dimensions



On November 23, 2021 the Volga Shipping Company published a note about the dry cargo vessels of the RSD44 project.
 
Exactly 11 years ago the lead vessel of the series, "Kapitan Ruzmankin", was launched.
 
Vessels of RSD44 project were built in 2011-2012 by Oka Shipyard in Navashino (general director Vladimir Kulikov) by order of Volga Shipping Company and since then they have been successfully operating.
 
During operation RSD44 project vessels have transported more than 10.5 million tons of cargo through Russian inland waterways.
 
Project RSD44 is designed by the Marine Engineering Bureau.
 
It should be noted that RSD44 series has set a record in terms of deadweight in the river with a draught of 3.60m for a dry cargo vessel (5.543 tonnes based on the inkling of the lead vessel and the weighing of the second vessel) and speed (average speed with and against the current during the sea trials of the lead vessel was more than 12 knots).
 
RRR class: M-PR 2.5 (ice 20) A.
 
RSD44 new dry-cargo vessels of "Volga-Max" class (waterline length is of 138.9 m, breadth is of 16.5 m, depth is of 5 m, coamings height is of 2.20 m) are assigned for transportation of general, bulk, timber and saw timber, grain, coal, sulfur, paper, building materials, steel production, potash and mineral fertilizer, large-sized cargoes, and also up to 140 containers through internal water ways of Russian Federation.
 
Deadweight in river is about 5543 t with draught of 3.6 m, deadweight at sea is about 5562 t with draught of 3.53 m. Cargo hold capacity is of 7090 cub.m.
 
Operation of vessels is also provided through Volga-Don Shipping Canal (VDSC), Volga-Balt Canal, and Azov Sea up to port of the Caucasus Port and in Gulf of Finland. Passage under Neva bridges in Saint-Petersburg region and under Rostov Railway bridge (Rostov-on-Don city) is supposed to be done without bridges drawing (maximal permissible air draught is of 5.4 m for bridges' passing).
 
RSD44 vessels' dimensions (overall length of 139.99 m, overall breadth of 16.8 m) allow to provide operations through VDSC, including "old" branch of Kochetovsk lock without "special steering" procedures.
 
Double bottom and double sides which cover all length of "box-shaped" cargo holds (holds' sizes: hold N1 37.8 m x 13.2 m x 6.22 m, hold N2 49.8 m x 13.2 m x 6.22 m) and fuel oil, lubricating oil and drain tanks allow to provide convenience of cargo loading and unloading, high operational reliability of vessel, and also secure environmental protection and decrease of risks which are linked with environmental pollution in vessels' operation region.
 
Propulsion plant consists of two full-circle rudder propellers (FCRP). FCRP unite features of propulsion device and control means in single complex which allows significantly improve manoeuvring capabilities of vessel in restricted river conditions. Two 1200 kW medium-speed diesels which use heavy fuel oil are foreseen as main engines.
 
Vessels' hull form has been made as much as possible technologic to ensure low cost of hull works. Meanwhile hull form is rather sea-going and optimal for fuel economy for required work conditions at river class O-PR. Hull form provides cruising speed 10.5 kn.
 
For providing sufficient view of water surface from wheel house it is located at the fore end. Vessel's operation is carried out by side control panels while passing narrow waters and locking. These panels are mounted onto open deck of each side in deckhouse area.
 
Vessels are equipped with the 120 kW bow thruster of the "screw in a tube" type.
 
In connection with necessity to provide ability of passage under Neva bridges and Rostov Railway bridge without their drawing single-tier living deckhouse was foreseen in aft part of vessels.
 
All necessary conditions for comfortable crew staying onboard including developed system of climate-control, usage of non-vibrating and noise-protection indoor coverings are provided.
 
Crew consists of 8 persons. Block cabins are prepared for Master and Chief Engineer and single cabins are prepared for other crewmembers.
 
It is interesting to mark that total number of places is of 16 at the suggestion of OJSC Volga Shipping Company. It allows taking students, technical specialists, family members (wives) aboard. The last one can be serious preference while crew selection for work on new series vessels.
 
RSD44 vessel's deadweight with river draught of 3.6 m is higher on 7% than the deadweight of newest of exist "Volzhskiy" type vessels (05074M prj.).
 
Ballast air draught of proposed vessel is only of 5.4 m (and smaller for cargo loading condition). This allows RSD44 project vessel (unlike "Volzhskiy") to pass under Neva bridges and Rostov Railway bridge without their drawing. Consequently the vessel would not be waiting queue for bridges' drawing and would save up to 20 days for single navigation. In addition, the air draft of the vessel allows to be operated on the South port of the Moscow River, which was quite unthinkable for "Volzhskiy" and "Volga-Don" type vessels.
 
Cargo hold capacity of RSD44 vessels is for 21% higher than for "Volzhskiy" type. Mentioned allows to transport not only large-sized cargoes but and significantly increase loading during "light" cargoes transport - barley, seeds of sunflower, cotton, scrap cargoes, large diameter pipes and other goods.
 
When comparing RSD44 dry-cargo vessel with "Volzhskiy" type vessel one may conclude that while length and breadth are the same RSD44 depth is smaller for 8%. Subsequently RSD44 modulus is smaller for 8% than for "Volzhskiy" type. This will provide save up to 8% of summary expenses for port and navigation fees. Thus the RSD44 vessel is unique engineering complex which combines optimal for internal water ways dimensions and modern gears and navigational technical equipment and has significant advantages in comparison with existing analogs.