On the 31st of May, 2011, the first tug of POSS-115 project, “NIBULON-1”, which is the result of fruitful work of the “sickle and hammer union”, will be launched at Mykolayiv shipbuilding yard “Okean”. The construction of a series of these vessels was started on the 30th of June 2010. The ceremony of keel laying of the first of the tugs series was attended by the Head of Mykolayiv Regional State Administration Mykola Kruglov. On the 19th of October, 2010, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov took part in solemn ceremony of keel-laying of the second and the third tugs of “NIBULON”. Construction of towing fleet is held within the large-scale investment program of “NIBULON”, its purpose is the revival of the Dnipro and the Southern Bug Rivers as shipping water ways of Ukraine. Shipbuilding project of “NIBULON” is funded with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Tugs are fitted out with equipment of leading world manufacturers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Germany, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Kingdom of Denmark, Poland etc. In 2011, approval of the Swedish Credit Agency “EKM” on the guarantee in the amount of EUR 4,3 million for funding of shipbuilding project was received, Dutch export agency «Atradius» granted guarantees in the amount of EUR 4.1 million. Unfortunately, despite the support of the international community, given the non-transparent situation in the domestic grain market, we had to suspend the realization of the investment project. New shipbuilding projects – non-self-propelled vessels of NBL-91 project, tugs of POSS-120 project, passenger vessels of POSS-601 project – are in abeyance, they are already developed for our company and equipment for their construction is fully purchased. Suspension of the project is a consequence of bureaucratic arbitrariness, and the local economy suffers significant losses from this: – series of 30 non-self-propelled vessels and 12 tugs is not constructed, its use would increase the volume of water transportations, and domestic maritime industry would receive a new impetus to the development; – passenger self-propelled vessels (of “catamaran” type) would have become the first step in the revival of passenger shipping by rivers of Ukraine, the volume of simultaneous passenger shipping by “NIBULON’s” fleet only at first would have been about 2400 people; – specialists of Mykolayiv shipbuilding yard “Okean” (about 2500 people) have lost the opportunity to be work loadedon three-shift basis for two years ahead; – upon completion of the investment project over 1000 employees would have received additional permanent jobs. This is despite the fact that domestic towing fleet is hopelessly out of date. River push tugs (currently there are only 11 of them in Ukrainian fleet) are morally and technically obsolete, reached maximum allowable use age (21-30 years). Since independence there was not built any (!) push tug, which would have been designed for use on inland waterways, not mentioning tugs of mixed navigation of “river-sea” type. The same situation is true for sea tugs. Terms of their use sometimes reaches 27 years, and 80% of all vessels require urgent restoration. In total 38 of such tugs operate. “NIBULON” constructs a modern one hundred percent Ukrainian fleet. Tugs on the technical order of the company were designed by domestic construction design office “Torola Design Group”, are made from the Ukrainian steel and in construction process a number of Ukrainian companies are involved. Vessels are designed for operation on inland waterways of Ukraine and take into account their features, are of a mixed navigation type, comply with environmental legislation of the European Union. Modern high-tech vessel of POSS-115 project, “NIBULON-1” tug is the first step in own towing fleet creation. Here’s a technical description of the vessel. The tug is designed for class of Shipping Register of Ukraine: KM LP4 III CP A1 “Tug”. The length is 37.81 m; width – 11.52 m; draught – 2,4 m deadweight – 150 tons. Free running speed is 11,5 knots, speed in fleet is not less than 5 knots. Self-sustaining period according to fuel, water, oil and food store of the vessel is 12 days. Two high-speed diesel engines with a capacity of 940 kW each produced by «Mitsubishi» are set as the main engines on the vessel; two engines produced by «Volvo» were set as adjacent. Two four-wheel-drivesteerable propellers with fixed pitch propeller of 1600 mm diameter and angle of rotation of 3600 to achieve high maneuverability of the vessel are set on the tug. Pilot room is made as elevating one to ensure the visibility from it while pushing the fleet. The hydraulic system provides lifting-lowering and fixing of the pilot room in the upper position. Sternmost towing winch electrically operated and six hand-held winches, sternmost drawhook with distance impact, anchor of «Pool-TW» type (for mooring operations) is installed aboard. Electric hydraulic crane with cargo carrying capacity of one ton is set for lowering and lifting of working boats, carrying cargo operations with food and other goods on the tug. Navigation of the vessel is provided by magnetic compass “CMO-Jupiter” and integrated satellite compass “Furuno SC-50”. Technical characteristics of tugs of POSS-115 series allow using them in towing or pushing of non-self-propelled vessels, servicing of them and other vessels in ports, assistance in conducting of mooring operations. High icebreaker class allows you to use the vessels as icebreaker tugs in winter etc. In spite of everything, “NIBULON” shoulder to shoulder with partners continues to implement its investment project steadily creating its own fleet. We are grateful to the team of Mykolayiv shipbuilding yard “Okean” for the invaluable assistance and reliable cooperation. Despite difficult times for the national “fleet family”, “NIBULON” proves: prospects for development of navigation in our country are rather optimistic. We practically demonstrate the ability to unite all unindifferent people in one team for the joint implementation of a unified national program. Construction of modern high-tech vessels of “NIBULON” should be a signal to everybody – Ukrainian logistics needs renovation and modernization. Ukraine has large waterways, competent use of which should bring a real economic benefit to the country.