Smart Maritime Group (Kherson) will upgrade 6 coaster ships[1] under order from the Dutch Handelskade Shipsales B.V. (the Netherlands).

According to the terms of the contract, as part of the upgrade, the shipbuilders will extend the length of each vessel by 12 meters by putting an insert and an inter-hold partition. In addition, the shipyard's specialists will paint the ballast tanks, the outer skin and cargo holds of the ships. They will lay new piping systems and will install new hatch covers. A free-fall lifeboat will also be installed in the stern of each vessel. About 190 tons of metal will be used to upgrade each coaster ship.

The renovation will significantly improve the technical and economic parameters of the ships. They will become 2-hold vessels (vs. 1-hold now). Their deadweight will increase by an average of 20%.

The first two vessels are expected to be delivered to SMG shipyard for revamping in mid-January. It is planned to complete the upgrade of all the vessels by July 2021.

The total value of the contract will amount to about UAH 100 million.

In the meantime, the Company has started cutting and processing of high-quality metal purchased for this order from enterprises of Metinvest Holding.

Reference:

Smart Maritime Group (SMG) is the largest shipbuilding company in Ukraine combining the shipbuilding assets of Smart-Holding: Nikolaev and Kherson shipyards. The SMG’s production capacities allow the construction of medium-tonnage fully outfitted vessels and comprehensive ship repair operations. The shipyards’ customers are companies from the Netherlands, Norway, the UK and other countries.

Handelskade Shipsales B.V. specializes in turnkey construction and upgrade of ships used in coastwise sea shipping operations.