MOD vs Zvezdochka Shipyard: Oscar II "Orel"

Oscar II submarine "Orel" undergoing dock repairs at 82nd Shipyard (Roslyakovo) - March 31, 2012
credit: avsky

On December 30, 2010, the Russian Ministry of Defense signed state contract R/1/2/0137/GK-11-DGOZ with Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center for service maintenance and repairs of Northern Fleet ships and submarines, to include Oscar II submarine "Orel", Sierra II submarine "Pskov", and Victor III submarines "Obninsk" and "Tambov". Costs included in the table of work to be performed on "Orel" totaled RUB 10,529,136. While the contract was signed in December 2010, the specific repairs for "Orel" were not approved by the MOD until May 22, 2012 - nearly 17 months after the contract was signed. According to the contract, all work under the contract was to be completed by December 31, 2012.

On December 25, 2014, the MOD filed papers with the Arbitration Court of Moscow seeking RUB 3,042,920 in compensation for the shipyard's failure to complete the agreed to work on "Orel" by the specified deadline. According to its complaint, the MOD stated that some elements of the submarine's repairs were not completed as of October 16, 2013, or 289 days after the contract deadline.

The court determined that nearly all contract line items for the "Orel" repairs were completed by the deadline. Two line items, totaling RUB 7,260,831, were completed by May 13, 2013. However, this delay was caused in part by the MOD's failure to finalize the specifics of the submarine's repairs as they related to those two line items until May 2012.

On April 2, 2015, the court issued its decision (A40-217314/2014) in which it found Zvezdochka was not authorized to unilaterally stop work under the contract, as it violated Articles 309 and 310 of the Russian State Code. The court, however, dismissed the MOD's claim that a contract having multiple line items can only be considered complete when all line items have been completed. Since the shipyard did complete all but two of the line items within the stated deadline, the court limited the shipyard's compensation to the MOD to RUB 500,000 (about 16% of what the MOD was seeking), plus another RUB 13,000 in court fees.

Within a few days, both sides filed appeals with the 9th Arbitration Appeals Court, which is scheduled to begin reviewing the case on July 7.

Severodvinsk SSGN: How Many and When?

Severodvinsk nuclear-powered submarine "Severodvinsk" (November 9, 2014)
[credit: TASS]

It is quite frequently reported that Northern Machine-Building Enterprise (SevMash) will build either seven or eight Severodvinsk-class nuclear-powered multipurpose submarines - Project 885 and 885M - by 2020. In November 2012, ITAR-TASS reported that "SevMash will build seven Project 885 and 885M Yasen fourth-generation nuclear-powered strike submarines by 2021..." A year ago, an unnamed "defense industry source" told RIA Novosti that "the Russian Navy plans to receive no less than eight submarines of this type by 2020." And in April of this year, ITAR-TASS changed its 2012 forecast and reported that "SevMash shall build eight Yasen and Yasen-M nuclear-powered submarines by 2020."

Are these numbers and timelines real?

Construction of the first (and only) Project 885 hull, "Severodvinsk", took 20 years from keel-laying to delivery. During that time, requirements were changed and new design specifications were implemented. The second unit, "Kazan", was laid down in July 2009 and is being built under the improved Project 885M design. Initial reporting indicated "Kazan" would be delivered in 2014. The delivery date, however, began slipping into 2015, 2016, and now 2017. A 2017 delivery would equate to eight years since the hull was laid - a lot better than 20 years.

After reviewing equipment delivery schedules, the actual timelines for only seven units looks something like this:

HULL	NAME	LAID	LAUNCHED	DELIVERED
160	Severodvinsk	Dec 1993	Jun 2010	Dec 2013
161	Kazan	Jul 2009	(2016)	4Q2017
162	Novosibirsk	Jul 2013		(2019)
163	Krasnoyarsk	Jul 2014		(2019)
164		(2015)		(2020)
165		(2015)		(2021)
166		(2015)		(2022)

Unless SevMash production and contractor-supplied equipment deliveries can be sped up, delivering more than five submarines by the end of 2020 appears improbable.

Submarine Turbines Being Shipped from Kaluga to Severodvinsk

Track of "Letniy Bereg" - November 9-23, 2014

It's late in the year, and most of Russia's inland waterway system has been shut down until next spring. But the transfer of important submarine equipment must continue.

On September 25, SevMash announced it was accepting bids for a contract to transfer cargo (dimensions: 17.7m x 8.0m x 9.25m; weight: 400 metric tons) from a pier at the DzerzhinskKhimMash port facility to Severodvinsk. The contract, valued at RUB 11,500,000, is effective through December 31. On October 7, the SevMash contract bid review committee declared the bidding process invalid without explaining why. Such bidding processes are often canceled when none of the companies that have tendered bids meet all of the requirements set forth in the contract (such as price, dates, etc.); however, the committee can recommend the company sign a contract with the best candidate. One of the companies competing for the bid was White Sea Freight Company (BelFreight).

On November 11, SevMash announced it had earlier signed a separate contract (RUB 89,962,968) with Kaluga Turbine Factory for delivery of an OK-17M turbine (dimensions: 17.7m x 7.88m x 9.39m; weight: 360 metric tons) from Kaluga to Severodvinsk by November 30. The umbrella contract (N/1/2/0614/GK-11-DGOZ; signed November 9, 2011) covering the OK-17M delivery contract is the same contract that covers construction of Severodvinsk-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine "Kazan".

On November 18, the Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transportation announced that the cargo vessel "Letniy Bereg" (IMO 8870839) had arrived in St. Petersburg from Dzerzhinsk on November 15 with cargo originating from the Kaluga Turbine Factory. The cargo was delivered from Kaluga to Dzerzhinsk on a barge - only after portions of the Oka River were dredged to accommodate the barge and its cargo. "Letniy Bereg" departed St. Petersburg on November 21 and is currently heading southwest in the southern Baltic Sea.

The same November 18 announcement mentioned that the cargo vessel "Pur-Navolok" (IMO 8869397) was scheduled to arrive in St. Petersburg on November 20 (it actually arrived the next day). The announcement did not specify the origin or nature of the cargo. After offloading of its cargo, "Pur-Navolok" headed back to the Neva River and is currently proceeding in an easterly direction towards Lake Ladoga.

"Letniy Bereg" and "Pur-Navolok" are owned and operated by BelFreight. And while there is some uncertainty as to which vessel ferried which cargo, it is possible that one or both of them ferried turbines or turbine-related components to St. Petersburg.

It is worth noting that while the dimensions and weights in the two contracts are very similar (suggesting they both may be turbines), the contracts are dramatically different in terms of cost. And that can be explained by the fact that the RUB 11,500,000 contract only covers the shipment, while the RUB 89,962,968 contract covers the OK-17M itself.

XLT+: "Severodvinsk" Emergency Escape Chamber Tested

Severodvinsk SSGN "Severodvinsk" with emergency escape chamber removed (November 2014)
(Image credit: TASS)

        [Translations of RF MOD press release and Russian TV21 news clip + RT video clip + more photos]

NORTHERN FLEET TESTS EMERGENCY ESCAPE CHAMBER FOR NEW "SEVERODVINSK" SUBMARINE
November 10, 2014
http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=11999475@egNews

The Northern Fleet held training of the emergency escape chamber on the lead Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine "Severodvinsk", which joined the Russian Navy in June of this year.

According to Commander of the Northern Fleet Admiral Vladimir Korolev, "for the first time in the Russian period of our Navy's history, we have tested the direct applicability of the emergency escape chamber of a new nuclear-powered submarine with a test team on board."

Admiral Vladimir Korolev emphasized that "test results of the emergency escape chamber once again have confirmed that ships joining the fleet are reliable and well thought out. The careful preparation of the Northern Fleet Submarine Forces Command and the "Severodvinsk" crew for this event ensured safety execution of this highly complex combat training event."

A distinctive feature of this event was that, in the relatively shallow waters of Guba Zapadnaya Litsa, the nuclear-powered submarine, which displaces more than 13,000 tons and is nearly 140 meters long, had to submerge to a depth of 40 meters and become stable at that depth, thus replicating the motionless condition of a simulated distressed submarine on the seabed.

At the same time, the test team consisting of five men practiced steps for evacuating the simulated distressed submarine using the emergency escape chamber. In addition to the test team, inside the escape chamber was ballast that was equal to the total weight of the submarine's crew.

A second technical feature of this event was that after the emergency escape chamber with its positive buoyancy separated and freely floated to the surface, the submarine "became heavy" due to the mass of the escape chamber - and this was several tons. The crew had just a few seconds to stabilize the submarine at the assigned depth and later to safely surface.

After surfacing, the emergency escape chamber was towed to the side of a rescue vessel, and the test crew then climbed on board.

In addition to the "Severodvinsk" submarine crew, joining the training were units of the Northern Fleet's search and rescue service - the rescue vessel "Mikhail Rudnitskiy" and diver specialists.

Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Viktor Chirkov thanked the Northern Fleet personnel who participated in testing the emergency escape chamber for the courage and professionalism demonstrated during the training event.

All modern Russian Navy nuclear-powered submarines and those currently being built are equipped with emergency escape chambers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SUBMARINERS TEST EMERGENCY ESCAPE CHAMBER
November 10, 2014
http://tv21.ru/news/2014/11/10/?chid=13&newsid=74641

The Northern Fleet tested the emergency escape chamber on the lead Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine "Severodvinsk", which joined the Russian Navy in June of this year. Elvira Serga and Konstantin Kabanets went to sea to see how this went.

The operation that the submariners had to perform, which was unique in terms of its complexity: rescuing the crew of a simulated distressed submarine using the emergency escape chamber. This evacuation method was invented 53 years ago. During Soviet times, however, only two such training events were held. And this operation is being held for the first time in the history of the Russian Navy. The "Severodvinsk" nuclear-powered submarine is already heading to the operations area.

In the shallow waters of Guba Zapadnaya Litsa, the nuclear-powered submarine, which displaces 13,000 tons and is nearly 140 meters long, has to submerge to a depth of 40 meters and become stable and motionless at that depth, thus replicating a motionless condition on the seabed.

[Sergey Grishko - Northern Fleet Submarine Forces Deputy Commander for the Electro-Mechanical Service] "For a crew with rather consistent training, this is a complex maneuver. But it's absolutely safe. Considering the support units that have been assembled for this maneuver, I believe everything will be fine."

On "Severodvinsk", the emergency escape chamber is built into the sail. One can only enter and exit the submarine through it. The chamber has the same factory of safety as that of the submarine itself. In essence, it's one more compartment. Inside of it at the moment it separates free will be five men - the test team, and ballast that is equal to the total weight of the crew. The goal is to test the reliability of the rescue system.

Air is removed from the ballast tanks, and the submarine begins to submerge. The first smoke flare indicates that the submarine has reached its position at the designated depth. The second flare is a signal that the chamber has separated.

The completely watertight compartment, a "group parachute" with people inside, freely floats to the surface. At that moment, the submarine, which became heavier due to the mass of the emergency escape chamber, goes deeper due to inertia. The crew's task is to stabilize the submarine at the assigned depth and ensure a safe surfacing maneuver.

The first phase of the operation was a success. Now this gigantic "cork" needs to be pushed to a tug and then moored to the hull for later transport to port. SevMash representatives on board the tug breathed a sign of relief.

[Viktor Pavlov - senior master from SevMash in Severodvinsk] "Of course, it was an unforgettable scene. Everything happened exactly as it was supposed to. Very cool, everything turned out very well, and I'm very pleased!" The next phase - decompressing the escape chamber and evacuating the personnel.

The entire team consisted of five testers: Sergey Balazhigitov, Sergey Melnikov, Aleksandr Dorofeyev, Igor Osaulenko, and Vladimir Serebryakov were transferred to the surface unharmed. Their names have already become part of the history of the Russian Navy.

[Sergey Balazhigitov - communicator] "I feel excellent, exhilarated, and we completed the task. We're ready for the next tasks."

[Sergey Melnikov - chemist] "Oxygen was within maximum allowable concentration limits. At the moment we surfaced, it was 21%, which means that the oxygen reserves in this emergency escape chamber ensure that the assigned tasks can be performed."

[Igor Osaulenko - test group leader] "There were no abnormal sensations - it was like being in an elevator. We rocked a little, and there was a 20 degree list to one side, and we jumped out of the water. That was it. Everything happened literally within 10 seconds, so no one had any time to really think about it."

[Vladimir Serebryakov - damage control commander] "Well, I can now say with confidence that it works, because I tested it myself. The emergency escape chamber is reliable, and it performed its function completely and thoroughly."

The "Severodvinsk" crew also successfully managed its task. Without the escape chamber, the submarine was stabilized, it surfaced unharmed, and it returned to port. Here, too, moored the tug with the escape chamber - the most non-combatant component on the submarine.

[Aleksandr Moiseyev - Northern Fleet Submarine Forces Commander] "This was rather serious training and maneuvers for the submarine. That is, credit goes without doubt to the commanding officer and the personnel who prepared to test this armament. This equipment was tested under factory conditions, but we tested it under conditions at its permanent home port in order to confirm our confidence in the equipment."

[Sergey Mityayev - "Severodvinsk" commanding officer] "We remembered, we read what they wrote about this, we figured it out and then we did it. A crane is now placing it on a special platform that was brought from SevMash, where both the submarine and emergency escape chamber were built. Later, after this, they'll perform specific steps to remove the ballast that was placed in it, and then use a crane to place it in its normal seated position."

After the successful operation, the crew will have a short break, and then the "Severodvinsk" crew will again go back on combat watch.

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RT also released a video of the event. Below are more TASS photos of "Severodvinsk" and its emergency escape chamber.

Court is Now in Session: Severodvinsk SSGN

Severodvinsk SSGN "Severodvinsk"
(image courtesy of SevMash)

On August 3, 2012, the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense filed a petition with the Moscow Arbitration Court seeking RUB 68,736,790 from Malakhit St. Petersburg Naval Bureau of Machine-Building as a penalty for exceeding the deadline of a 1986 design contract related to Severodvinsk-class nuclear-powered submarine (SSGN) "Severodvinsk".

The following timeline provides some background and context to the case:

• On October 31, 1986, the MOD and Malakhit signed State Contract Number 102/86-Ye/554-86 for experimental design work (OKR) "Project 885" [Project 885 = Severodvinsk SSGN]. Under the contract, Malakhit was to produce design documentation for the Severodvinsk SSGN.


• On December 21, 1993, "Severodvinsk" was laid down at SevMash.


• Between 1996 and 2000, no major work was performed due to a lack of financing. Following some redesign work and with a new flow of money, construction recommenced in 2001.


• In February 2002, SevMash officials stated that deliveries of equipment from sub-contractors were delaying the submarine's construction.


• By July 2007, the submarine's reactor has been installed, and the steam turbine plant was to be delivered "soon."


• On April 8, 2009, the MOD issued a decision to test 22 prototype pieces of equipment on the submarine as a whole during factory sea trials. The prototypes listed in the MOD's decision included items designed by Malakhit under OKR "Project 885". Malakhit explained to the MOD that it could not finalize the working design documentation until all testing was completed.


• On June 15, 2010, "Severodvinsk" was finally launched.


• On March 31, 2011, the two sides signed Supplementary Agreement Number
  N/1/2/0217/D54-11-D203, under which Malakhit was to complete OKR Stages XXVII 3.1.3.3 (Rakonda automatic control system), 3.1.3.6 (Bulat-Ya integrated technical equipment control system), 3.1.3.7 (Mineral-Ya electro-hydraulic equipment package), 3.1.3.9 (SM-346 launcher and SM-353 universal loading device), and 3.3 by November 25, 2011.


• On September 12, 2011, "Severodvinsk" got underway for its first day of factory sea trials.


• On May 29, 2012, the MOD formally complained to Malakhit about non-fulfillment of its contractual obligations. When the two sides could not resolve this issue, the MOD filed its suit in August.

In court, Malakhit argued that it had fulfilled all contractual obligations that did not depend on SevMash, which built "Severodvinsk". All other obligations were hampered by SevMash's continued testing of the submarine. And the judge agreed, ruling in favor of Malakhit on February 8, 2013.

On May 8, 2013, the MOD filed an appeal with the 9th Arbitration Appellate Court, which also ruled in favor of Malakhit on June 19. On August 30, 2013, the MOD filed its final appeal with the Moscow District Federal Arbitration Court; it, too, ruled in favor of Malakhit on October 14.

Two months later, on December 30, the MOD took possession of "Severodvinsk". It joined the RF Navy on June 17, 2014, although the submarine still remains in a "trial operation" status.

Dolgorukiy SSBN: The Dirty Secret Under the Hood

Dolgorukiy SSBN "Yuriy Dolgorukiy" underway in the White Sea - September 7, 2009
(Image courtesy of images.yandex.ru)

The Russian Navy’s newest class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines is not as new as Moscow's submarine dealers would like you to know.

All of the Dolgorukiy-class (Project 955) SSBNs launched to date are actually hybrids of Akula SSNs and Oscar II SSGNs. I’m not sure why this isn’t more clearly explained in the English-language Wikipedia article, but it’s abundantly clear in the Russian-language version of the article.

If it were only the Frankenstein hull, then all debate could center on the third generation hull structure’s impact on the submarine’s theoretical tactical performance and detectability. But the hull is not the only borrowed item on this submarine.

It turns out that in addition to hull sections, the Dolgorukiy SSBN is borrowing used steam turbines from scrapped nuclear-powered submarines that were built nearly 30 years ago. This month, the Northeastern Repair Center in Vilyuchinsk (Kamchatka Peninsula) announced it was signing a contract (worth RUB 1,198,951) with the Far East subsidiary of Onega Scientific Research Technological Design Bureau (in Bolshoy Kamen, east of Vladivostok) for the “creation of technological and design documentation to support the removal of modular steam turbine plant equipment” plus “assistance during the deinstallation and removal of an Azurit-M modular steam turbine plant [from Oscar II SSGN “Krasnoyarsk”]" in the 4th quarter of 2014. The umbrella contract under which this work is to be done is Z/1/1/0169/GK-12-DGOZ, signed on May 25, 2012, which actually covers the construction of hulls 5-8 of the Dolgorukiy SSBN class. Thus, the steam turbine plant on “Krasnoyarsk” will be used in the construction of a future, new and improved Project 955A version of the Dolgorukiy SSBN (the 955A series started with the fourth hull, "Knyaz Vladimir"). And there is a strong suspicion that this has happened with some, if not all, of the earlier units, as well.

How much would you pay for a “new” car that used a frame constructed from 30-year-old cars and that was powered by a used engine?

Show me the Car Sub Fax!!!

"Severodvinsk" Nuke Sub Heads for New Home

"Severodvinsk" departs Severodvinsk, September 11, 2014 (Photo courtesy of radikal.ru)

Following a no-frills send-off ceremony, the Russian Navy Northern Fleet's Severodvinsk-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine "Severodvinsk" departed the port of Severodvinsk (White Sea) on September 11 en route to its new permanent base of Guba Zapadnaya Litsa (about 35 miles northwest of Severomorsk). The journey should take only two days. The first (and only) time "Severodvinsk" departed the White Sea was a month and a half ago when it participated in Navy Day celebrations in Severomorsk. Shortly after the celebrations, the submarine returned to Severodvinsk.

There were a few hints the submarine was preparing to depart the White Sea:

• On September 3, SevMash shipyard reported that the submarine would be heading to its permanent home port of Guba Zapadnaya Litsa this fall.
• On September 10, the Severodvinsk mayor's office reported that the submarine had received two stationary bike trainers and TV monitor from the city. Since it wasn't a holiday, and it wasn't an anniversary of anything related to the submarine, it had to be farewell gifts as the submarine was preparing to the leave the city for many years.

Update: Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers

Oscar II SSGN "Chelyabinsk" on "Transshelf" near Bolshoy Kamen, September 9, 2014 (Photo credit: VitTE)

Quick updates of the submarine transfers:

• Today, four days after arriving near Bolshoy Kamen, the Dockwise semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel "Hai Yang Shi You 278" finally offloaded Oscar II-class nuclear-powered submarine "Chelyabinsk", according to a local resident. Here's a short video of "HYSY 278" anchored in Ussuriyskiy Bay near Bolshoy Kamen before the submarine was offloaded.
• The Dockwise semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel remains anchored in the exact same position as it was yesterday. The icebreaker "Krasin" did arrive in Pevek by 0800 GMT yesterday. When the icebreaker will depart port remains a mystery.

For earlier reporting:

Why is the Netherlands Helping the Russian Navy Right Now? (August 14, 2014)

Nuke Boats Loaded on Heavy-Lift Vessels (August 28, 2014)

"Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (August 31, 2014)

"HYSY 278" Departs Russia With Oscar II SSGN (September 3, 2014)

Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers (September 5, 2014) 

"HYSY 278" Arrives Near Bolshoy Kamen With Oscar II SSGN (September 7, 2014

Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (September 10, 2014)

"HYSY 278" Arrives Near Bolshoy Kamen With Oscar II SSGN

Track of "Hai Yang Shi You 278", September 7, 2014
(Map courtesy of Google Maps)

As expected, the Dockwise semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel "Hai Yang Shi You 278" arrived in the vicinity of the Zvezda Far East Shipyard today with Oscar II-class nuclear-powered submarine "Chelyabinsk" on board. The trip from the Kamchatka Peninsula, through the Sea of Okhotsk, La Perouse Strait, and Sea of Japan took seven days. The ship traveled the nearly 1460nm in 166 hours, which equates to an average speed of 8.8 knots (there were a few times it traveled in excess of 13 knots). It arrived at its current position (about 4nm west of the shipyard) during the 0700 GMT hour (1800 local time) -- four hours ahead of its earlier estimated time of arrival -- and has remained there ever since.

For earlier reporting:

Why is the Netherlands Helping the Russian Navy Right Now? (August 14, 2014)

Nuke Boats Loaded on Heavy-Lift Vessels (August 28, 2014)

"Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (August 31, 2014)

"HYSY 278" Departs Russia With Oscar II SSGN (September 3, 2014)

Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers (September 5, 2014)

Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers

Locations of "Hai Yang Shi You 278" and "Transshelf" on September 4, 2014 [Map courtesy of Google Maps]

The Dockwise semi-submersible vessels "Hai Yang Shi You 278" and "Transshelf" continue to ferry their submarine cargo to their respective destinations:

• "Hai Yang Shi You 278", with Oscar II-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine "Chelyabinsk" on board, has entered the Sea of Okhotsk and was located about 150nm north of Iturup Island at 1100 GMT on September 4. The vessel's estimated time of arrival at Zvezda Far East Ship in Bolshoy Kamen is 1100 GMT on September 7.
• "Transshelf", with Akula I-class nuclear-powered submarines "Bratsk" and "Samara" on board, has transited the Bering Strait and was located about 25nm northwest of Diomid Island at 0800 GMT on September 4.

For earlier reporting:

Why is the Netherlands Helping the Russian Navy Right Now? (August 14, 2014)

Nuke Boats Loaded on Heavy-Lift Vessels (August 28, 2014)

"Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (August 31, 2014)

"HYSY 278" Departs Russia With Oscar II SSGN (September 3, 2014)

"HYSY 278" Departs Russia With Oscar II SSGN

Locations of "Hai Yang Shi You 278" on September 2, 2014

The Dockwise semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel "Hai Yang Shi You 278" departed Avachinskaya Guba (Russia) on September 2 after having onloaded Russian Navy Pacific Fleet Oscar II-class nuclear-powered submarine "Chelyabinsk" over a week ago. The ship departed its mooring position during the 0900 GMT hour, exited the bay, turned south, and was located about 36nm southeast of Mys Mayachnyy at 1400 GMT. "HYSY" should arrive at Zvezda Far East Shipyard with one week.

For earlier reporting:

Why is the Netherlands Helping the Russian Navy Right Now? (August 14, 2014)

Nuke Boats Loaded on Heavy-Lift Vessels (August 28, 2014)

"Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (August 31, 2014)

Nuke Boats Loaded on Heavy-Lift Vessels

Akula I SSN "Samara" (left) and "Bratsk" (right) loaded on TRANSSHELF [photo: Express-Kamchatka]

                                                     [click here for August 30 update]

As a quick update to my previous post, Both Akula I-class nuclear-powered submarine "Bratsk" and "Samara" were loaded on the semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel "Transshelf", and Oscar II-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine "Chelyabinsk" on the semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel "Hai Yang Shi You 278" over the past few days. The loading operations took place in Avachinskaya Guba near 5258N 15832E. Both vessels are expected to begin their respective transits in the next 48 hours.

Why is the Netherlands Helping the Russian Navy Right Now?

"Transshelf" ferries two Victor III SSN, July 2009 [photo: HeavyLift RU]

                                                               [click here for August 28 update]
                                                               [click here for August 30 update]

As the world continues to wait for officials to finish their investigation of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 tragedy in which 193 Dutch citizens perished, the Dutch company Dockwise Shipping BV is quietly preparing to assist the Russian Navy ferry three nuclear-powered attack submarines to Russian shipyards. With the possibility of Russian complicity in the MH17 tragedy, why would the Netherlands allow these operations to continue?

The semi-submersible heavy-lift ship "Transshelf" departed Singapore on July 24, briefly stopped in China in early August, then continued towards Rybachiy Submarine Base on the Kamchatka Peninsula, where it arrived on August 12 (local time). Locals mistook it for "Blue Marlin", another Dockwise ship. As of August 15, "Transshelf" was anchored in Avachinskaya Bukhta near 5258N 15833E. The ship is scheduled to ferry two Akula I-class SSN ("Bratsk" and "Samara") – via the Arctic Northern Sea Route (NSR) -- to Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center in Severodvinsk (White Sea). The approved window for the NSR transit is August 25-September 15, 2014.

The second ship, "Hai Yang Shi You 278", departed Dalian, China, on August 10 and is scheduled to arrive at Rybachiy Submarine Base on August 18. It will be used to ferry an Oscar II-class SSGN ("Chelyabinsk") to Zvezda Far East Shipyard in Bolshoy Kamen (near Vladivostok).

I hope the grieving families of those who perished on MH17 are okay with this...

Update 1: Here is a news item (+ video) from July 2009 when "Transshelf" conducted the world's first ferry mission of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (Russian Victor III SSN).

Update 2: A review of the NSR Administration website indicates Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (on behalf of Dockwise Shipping BV) submitted a request on April 14 for "Transshelf" to transit the NSR; the NSR Administration approved the request two days later.

Update 3: Updated arrival date for "Transshelf" in the Rybachiy area (August 12).

Update 4: Updated latest position for "Transshelf" as of August 15.