Russian Leader Tours Zvezda Shipyard, Highlights Localisation Drive and Arctic Fleet Plans
President Vladimir Putin visited the Zvezda shipbuilding complex in the Primorsky Region, a project brought to life by a consortium led by Rosneft. During the visit, he inspected new vessels, including those that are still under construction, underscoring the yard’s ongoing expansion and capabilities. This visit underscored Russia’s ongoing effort to strengthen its domestic shipbuilding base and to showcase the production of ships that are critical to national logistics and defense. [Cited: Kremlin press service]
At a naming ceremony held during the visit, two reinforced ice-class ships were christened, and the president congratulated the employees of the company as well as the crews of the new ships. The event emphasized the importance of building an all-weather fleet capable of operating in Arctic conditions and supporting Russia’s northern infrastructure. [Cited: Kremlin press service]
Putin announced the names of the two civilian vessels: the oil tanker will be named after Valentin Savvich Pikul, a beloved writer whose work is linked to national history, the navy, and the defenders of Russia’s Far Eastern borders. The gas tanker was named for Alexei Nikolaevich Kosygin, a statesman whose contributions helped develop the Far East and sustain the country’s economy and key industries. The president expressed pride in these tributes and the role of the shipyard in commemorating notable figures. [Cited: Kremlin press service]
He noted that the Zvezda team will tackle important next steps, including increasing the localization of production and expanding the use of domestic developments and solutions. He said he is confident that every new vessel delivered will lift the level of local content at the shipyard. [Cited: Kremlin press service]
During the tour, the head of state was briefed on the construction of two ARC7-class icebreaking LNG gas tankers, whose hulls are being formed in a dry dock. He was also shown Aframax tanker Vostochny Prospekt, already preparing for sea trials, along with the multifunctional supply ship St. Besides Maria, the MR tanker Ivan Aivazovsky and the gas carrier Pyotr Stolypin. The company highlighted that producing such ships represents a unique achievement for Russia’s shipbuilding sector. [Cited: Kremlin press service]
Putin spoke about the strategic importance of developing a robust Arctic fleet, noting the necessity of reliable transport along the Northern Sea Route as part of a long-term national strategy. He stressed that global transport and logistics networks should be strengthened to bolster energy security for Russia and allied economies. [Cited: Kremlin press service]
The latest ships to roll off the Zvezda line include the Valentín Pikul and Alexei Kosygin, which have been celebrated as milestones for the yard. In total, 12 ships have been launched at Zvezda, including four Aframax tankers with a combined dead weight of about 450,000 tons delivered to customers, while work on more than 50 ships remains in the company’s order portfolio, totaling over 3 million tons of dead weight. [Cited: Kremlin press service]
Since the start of production activities at Zvezda, now nearing its seventh year, significant technological challenges have been resolved. The facility has brought online essential production units, including a hull production unit, painting booths, a block assembly workshop, and a modern pipe processing workshop—part of a fleet of facilities designed to support continuous, large-scale shipbuilding. [Cited: Kremlin press service]