Vladimir Bazhenov, Director General of Nevsky Shipyard, took the lead of enterprise on December last year. In interview with «Volgo-Nevsky Prospect» newspaper reporter Nikolay Astafev he answered the questions concerning Nevsky Shipyard development.
— What prospects for the development does Nevsky Shipyard have today?
— This is not a secret that foundation of Shipyard activity is stability. The last one is determined by long-term contracts. Our Shipyard won the tender for construction of salvage vessel (SV), the first contract was signed on June of last year. On December 16th – after tender winning for two more vessels the second contract was signed. This fact sells optimism because the tasks that firstly seemed to be fantastic become rather realistic today. Taking into account the shipyards prospects, shareholders put many resources into the shipyard modernization program.
— What does this program include?
— The automatic line for flat sections assembly and welding of German company IMG was installed and put into operation at 23rd of December 2009. Today it operates, carries out the orders for the first SV. It’ll definitely give maximum effect on the construction of serial orders already signed in the holding and planned to be signed. In particular we achieved the agreement with Okskaya Sudoverf for sections construction of two RSD-44 project vessels, coordinated cooperation and we have three more hulls as option. I mean we have two contracts and the third in prospect. Besides that we are currently working out extensively the matter regarding another contract signing. This is about series construction of ten river-sea vessels with 7000 tons deadweight for North-West Shipping Company, JSC. We are planning to sign this contract in first quarter of present year to start this project since mid of 2010. This project is very serious and it will allow the shipyard to be fully loaded till 2013.
— Serial ship production will allow attracting new customers’ attention, won’t it?
— You are completely right to notice that when enterprise starts to breath, develop, be loaded with orders, potential partners appear rapidly. As they say: money makes money, orders make orders. Even now there are customers who suggest Shipyard the construction of bunkering tankers and tugs. These suggestions are rather concrete and we work them out understanding that till contract is not signed the corresponding niche is downloading. But I want to continue answering your question concerning Shipyard modernization. Today we finish reconstruction of production capacities built in 70-80s of XX century. I mean sheds, flights. A large work was carried out for glazing and roof repair. We are mounting gateway and that will considerably improve the employees’ working conditions. The automatic line for flat sections assembly and welding has been put into operation in the first flight of shed. In the second flight we are mounting modern vertical-lift gateway – not folding like before but of new, modern type. Overhead traveling cranes with cargo capacity 50 tons each will be delivered on March - that will allow moving sections and assembling them into blocks depending on tasks. In the third flight of shed the bunkering vessel BERGEN TANK for Norwegian customer is being constructed. In the second one we are assembling salvage vessel now.
…We have bought a trailer of 150 tons cargo capacity which will provide maneuvering ability. We are also going to purchase 600—800 tons press, to build spray paint cabinet. Realization of all the listed plans to summer of 2010 (we have credit line and necessary facilities) will considerably increase Shipyard possibilities and allow delivering five ready-to-operate vessels per year. This task is very serious and we should do all our best to carry it out.
...We have bought a trailer of 150 tons cargo capacity which will provide maneuvering ability. We are also going to purchase 600—800 tons press, to build spray paint cabinet. Realization of all the listed plans to summer of 2010 (we have credit line and necessary facilities) will considerably increase Shipyard possibilities and allow delivering five ready-to-operate vessels per year. This task is very serious and we should do all our best to carry it out.
— What labour force is required for this realization?
— Unfortunately, Shliesselburg can not provide the Shipyard with all necessary qualified personnel so we invite a lot of specialists from all the country as Shipyard staff.
— How do you decide the problem of their accommodation?
— We rent the apartments in Shliesselburg for leading specialists. Some of newcomers live in Saint-Petersburg. Generally it concerns technical and engineering employees as well as management. As to working men, in the territory of Shipyard we have a dormitory accommodation.
— What is the total staff of the Shipyard and working men in particular?
— The total staff is 680 employees and 240 working men among them. To carry out the production program the quantity of workers should be increased till 750 employees. Besides them more than 200 subcontractors work at the Shipyard.
For sure, management of Shipyard as well as shareholders should think about employee retention and accept the social program which would stimulate all this process. Young specialists are the future of Shipyard and we should think about them even today.