Arctic Logistic Support Ship Floated in St. Petersburg

The Elbrus-class logistic support ship for the Russian Navy was floated in St. Petersburg on Friday, the Severnaya Verf (Northern Shipyard) said in a press-release.

Designed and built for use in Arctic waters, the Project 23120 lead vessel is ideal for embarkation, storage, shipping and trans-shipment of dry cargoes, surface ships and submarines, towage support and assistance to vessels in distress.

Two more such ships are currently under construction and all-purpose transporter/tugs of this type will soon be available to the entire Russian Navy.

Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov said that modern logistic support ships will improve the efficiency of the Russian naval forces and will make it possible to pension off vessels built in the 1960s and 1970s.

The Elbrus lead ship is scheduled to be ready for delivery to the Northern Fleet by the mid-2016.

Developed by JSC Spetssudoproekt design bureau in St. Petersburg, the Elbrus lead ship is 95 meters long, 22 meters wide, has maximum draft of 8.65 meters and maximum range of about 5,000 nautical miles, a crew of 27 and rescue capacity of 50.

It is scheduled to be ready for delivery to the Northern Fleet by the mid-2016.