A keel-laying ceremony has been held for the first of 10 non-self-propelled oil barges being built at Russia's Okskaya Sudoverf.
The project ROB20 barges are being built for St Petersburg-based Pola Rise for operations on the Belaya River and Volga River.
Developed by Marine Engineering Bureau, the 6,013DWT vessels are scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2018.
They are 118.79 metres LOA, 22.80 metres BOA, and have 2.75-metre draughts.
Non-self-propelled loading barges are designed to transport petroleum products with a flashpoint of 610°C and above. The main cargo is fuel oil.
The RUB2.5 billion (US$43 million) contract was signed on October 31.