Despite the holidays, work at Mykolayiv shipbuilding yard “Okean” is in a full swing. Workers of the yard work on the construction of a series of “POSS-115” tugs on the order of “NIBULON”. For the first time in the history of Ukraine flagship of agricultural sector is building its own fleet, thus getting the leadership on the waterways also. In addition, “NIBULON” itself organizes financing of the construction, completing vessels with first class equipment. What is the tug of “POSS-115” project? A vessel designed by a longtime partner of “NIBULON”, Mykolayiv design office «POSS Torola» is a modern high-tech tug designed for an operation on inland waterways of Ukraine (as their peculiarities were taken into account),  has a mixed class of navigation, complies with environmental legislation of the European Union. Construction of tugs is a key element of the patriotic investment project of the company on the revival of the Dnipro and the Southern Bug Rivers as shipping transportation waterways of Ukraine. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Ukreximbank, LLC “OTP Leasing” and the governments of Sweden, the Netherlands, through their export-credit funds participate in the project. The vessel has a corresponding class of Shipping Register of Ukraine: KM LP4 III ZP A1 “Tug”. Its length is 37.81 m, breadth – 11.52 m, draft – 2.4 m, deadweight – 150 tons. Free running speed is 11.5 knots, speed in a fleet is not less than 5 knots. Speed of the tug is provided by two main diesel engines 940 kW each; two rudder propeller units with the angle of rotation 3600 are in charge for maneuverability. Lifting tower provides better visibility when moving in the fleet. The presence of the vessels of such a class in the “fleet family” of “NIBULON” allows a pilotage by pushing or towing of non-self-propelled vessels, maintaining them and other floating facilities in dockyards, to assist in conducting mooring operations, and to use the vessels as icebreakers. A striking example of such versatility and reliability of technical operations of  the vessels are events of October 29, 2011, when the crew of “NIBULON-1” tug in Kremenchuk reservoir rescued a sailor on a non-self-propelled vessel that was affected by the storm, and then unmoored the vessel, which ability to move was lost because of the storm. High level of the team training and technical excellence of the tug, including maneuverability, allowed performing this operation in a normal mode within hours. Currently own towing fleet of “NIBULON” includes five tugs: “NIBULON-1” (the first vessel of a series of “POSS-115” project was launched on May 31, 2011), “NIBULON-2” and “Prybuzhanivs’kyy”, “Lidiyivs’kyy”, “Bashtans’kyy” tugs. Fleet of the company (both tugs and non-self-propelled vessels) successfully carries water transportation in Mykolayiv, Cherkasy, Zaporizhzhya and Poltava regions. During navigation season of 2011 more than 700 000 tons of corn were transported! “NIBULON” would not be a leader, if it was limited by that. In 2012, further development of the company’s shipbuilding plans will be continued. In particular, deadweight of the non-self-propelled fleet will be increased up to 250 thousand tons; modern dredge “Watermaster Classic IV”, purchased in autumn 2011, will help to solve the problems of technological and ecological condition of waterways of Ukraine, especially as to the company’s transshipment terminals. Also in 2012 water transportations in Kyiv and Kherson regions will be started. The design office «POSS Torola» is already developing projects of new (shallow-draft) tugs, new non-self-propelled vessels and passenger vessels (catamarans). Plans are serious and the company is ready to implement them. We do it already now, side by side with experts of the yard “Okean”, proving in fact that Ukraine has a great future. Thus, traditionally please find attached the next photo report about the status of construction of “POSS-115”, “NIBULON-3” and “NIBULON-4” tugs. Order № 185 (“NIBULON-3”): isolation of pipelines is being continued in the engine room; floorboards are installed; diesel generators and fuel separation systems are delivered to Shipping Register; setting up of diesel engines together with rudder propeller complex is being continued (involving contractors – specialists of «Berg» and «Mitsubishi» companies); the final painting is started, rudder house is assembled and tested (lifting, lowering, tilting of the mast), anchor complex is prepared to be put into commission; tile is laid in housing and domestic sector; furniture is imported. Specialists of other contractors are involved on the vessel: LLC «Hladotehnika« (adjustment of ventilation and air conditioning), «Alewijnse» (adjustment of navigational and electronic equipment), LLC «ISD» (installation of furniture), LLC «Yug Antikor» (paint work), «Transas Group» (radio tuning). The degree of readiness of the vessel compiles 95%! Running and mooring trials will be completed by February 1, 2012 and the tug will be ready for a complete work. Order № 186 (“NIBULON-4”): portholes and doors are installed on board; straightening of texas is carried out; installation of deck equipment is complete; overhull congestion is installed in most blocks of the hull; work on rudder propeller complex installation is being continued; guard railing is installed on the deck; coat of paint of the hull is completed; assembling of vessel fendering protection is started; galvanizing of pipes for ship systems is continued. The degree of readiness of the vessel is 57%! Mooring, running trials on the ship will be completed by the beginning of the navigation season (April 1, 2012). Thus, when the navigation on the Ukrainian rivers starts, “NIBULON`s” fleet will consist of 7 (!) own tugs, 4 of which are of “POSS-115” project. This will allow the company to cross the threshold of water transportation in 1 million tons.