OREANDA-NEWS. November 13, 2008. As part of its strategy to develop its oil terminal management business in Russia, Sovcomflot has concluded a contract with the Leningrad Pella Shipyard (St. Petersburg) for the construction of four modern berthing tugs. A signing ceremony took place at the Pella Shipyard in the city of Otradnoye (Leningrad Region). The event was attended by Aleksandr Kurtynin, Sovcomflot Vice-President / Business Development, and Andrey Aprelenko, Managing Director of Rosnefteflot (a joint venture between Rosneft and Sovcomflot).

Sovcomflot Group’s strategy to development its terminals management business envisages, in particular, providing port, salvage and environmental protection vessels to build up the existing capabilities and improve the quality of service in Russia’s oil transshipment ports. This will be done by entering new markets independently and also in cooperation with other companies.

The new tugs will be equipped with Rolls-Royce rudder propellers and their technical specifications, including ice class, will enable them to work all year round in Russia’s ports. In view of the forthcoming delivery of the tugs, the Sovcomflot Group anticipates using them to support the oil transshipment terminals in the ports of Ust-Luga, Primorsk and Kozmino.