Dutch-based Universal Cargo Logistics Holding (UCL Holding) is planning to invest RUB8.6bn ($291.23m) to build a series of 15 oil product carriers under the RST27 project through its majority-owned unit Volga-Balt Transport Holding (VBTH).
The vessels, which will have a capacity of 6,900t, will be ordered by Volga-Balt Tanker, a subsidiary of VF Tanker for UCL Holding.
The ships are being built at Russian shipyards, which include five in Krasnoye Sormovo and ten vessels at Okskaya Shipyard (UCLH's shipbuilding division).
The RST27 project contract design was developed by Odessa-based Marine Engineering Bureau. Volga-Caspian Design Bureau (Nizhny Novgorod) prepared a working draft.
The RST27 project vessels will have a length of 140.85m, beam of 16.86m and depth of 6m.
Each vessel is equipped with twin 1200kW Wartsila 6L20 main engines, and it has 5378dwt at 3.6m draft in freshwater and 6980dwt at 4.2m draft in saltwater.
VF Tanker (Nizhny Novgorod) is engaged in the shipping of petroleum products via inland waterways. It operates more than 40 ships of total tonnage of more than 170,000t.