Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in a ceremony of laying a keel of Chaika passenger river ship with engines powered by liquefied natural gas

On February 27, at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard, which is part of the Ak Bars Shipbuilding Corporation, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in a ceremony of laying a keel of Chaika passenger river ship with engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Member of the Gazprom Management Committee Vyacheslav Mikhalenko, Director of the Department of State Policy in Marine and River Transport of the Russian Ministry of Transport Yury Kostin, Head of Zelenodolsk municipal region of the republic Mikhail Afanasyev and other officials took part in the ceremony.

A presentation of the river-going tourism and leisure vessel of project 03622 "Chaika" was held at the shipyard.

“A significant event not only for the republic and Zelenodolsk Shipbuilding Plant, but for the entire shipbuilding industry of Russia has been held today,” Minnikhanov said in his welcoming speech. “We have never produced gas-powered ships before and today we are laying a keel of a leisure vessel, however gas engine fuel has great prospects in future,” he added. 

Tatarstan President reminded that our country has huge reserves of natural gas. He emphasized that environmentally friendly modes of transport are needed both in cities located near highways and near water open spaces. This LNG leisure boat project is a case in point, and  the gas-engine fuel project is being implemented thanks to the design bureau, plant and support of Gazprom, Minnikhanov said.

It was noted at the ceremony, that there are no LNG vessels in the Russian river fleet at the moment.