JSC “Rīgas kuģu būvētava” (RKB) completed renovations of the Aframax-class “V8 Stealth II” tanker this week – the largest ship that the shipyard has ever renovated in its history. Among other things, the RKB replaced the outer shell of the enormous tanker’s hull, which had been damaged in a maritime accident.
Because of the vast size of the tanker, five tugboats were needed to pull it away from the shipyard – “Sphinx” (Sfinksa), “Santa”, “Stella”, “Orcan” (Orkāns) and “Nechiporenko” (Nečiporenko). The first three of those tugs belong to the Riga Freeport.
The “V8 Stealth II” had to pause on its way to the Daugava River to allow the “Tallink” cruise ship to sail down the river first. Only then could the tanker be on its way.
Aframax-class ships are at least 32 metres wide. The “V8 Stealth II” is 250 metres long and 44 metres wide, with a weight of 62,775 tonnes and cargo capacity of 112,871 tonnes. Aframax ships are mostly used in the Black Sea, North Sea, Caribbean Sea, South China Sea and East China Sea.
All of the piers and docks of the RKB are occupied at this time because the season for shipbuilding and renovations is proceeding apace.
The Board of Directors