On May 13 a solemn ceremony of launching the non-self-propelled cutter suction dredger "Nikolay Grichanovsky" and the support vessel "Beryll" intended for operation in conjunction with the dredger was held.

The vessels are being built by "Stroiliderplus", LLC (Astrakhan region) by order of FSUE "Rosmorport" for operation on the Volga-Caspian Sea Shipping Canal (VCSSC), as well as on the water areas and approaches to the seaports of Astrakhan and Olya.

The launching ceremony was attended by representatives of the FSUE “Rosmorport” Astrakhan Branch: Deputy Director for Operations Artem Kurochkin, Chief Accountant Elena Nozhenko – the godmother of the dredger "Nikolay Grichanovsky", Deputy Head of Personnel Service Elena Fisun – the godmother of the supply vessel "Beryll".

"Nikolay Grichanovsky" is the second vessel in a series of three FPDG3 project dredgers, which are characterized by high productivity. The lead vessel of the series – dredger "Nikolay Rusanov", which joined the fleet of FSUE "Rosmorport" in 2024, is currently used for dredging on the canal.

The dredgers of this project are equipped with groundwater pumps with a water capacity of more than 7,000 m³/hour and Russian-made automated dredging control systems. The vessels' autonomy in terms of fuel, engine oil, fresh water and provisions is not less than 7 days. The enclosures are designed for heavy 24/7 and year-round operation and continuous use.

The new dredger of the series is named in honor of the captain-bagermaster Nikolay Alimpievich Grichanovsky. Since 1958 N.A. Grichanovsky worked as a dredge master of the dredger "Volga-Caspian No. 2", recognized as one of the best vessels of Caspraidmorput, then he was a captain of several more dredgers and a captain-mentor in Caspraidmorput, he also worked in Astrakhan Production Association of Sea Transport and North Caspian Sea Shipping Company.

"Beryll" is the lead vessel of the FPW1 project series. The vessels are designed to support dredger operations, including pushing and towing, buoy and anchor handling. The vessels of this project have 2.5 tons cranes, which will be used to raise and drop the anchors to hold the dredgers. FPW1 vessels are also capable of transporting cargo and personnel, supplying other vessels with fuel and water, and performing other auxiliary dredging operations.

Three vessels of the series will be built for FSUE "Rosmorport" for operation in conjunction with non-self-propelled cutter suction dredgers of high productivity of FPDG3 project.

Main characteristics and main dimensions of the dredger

Class of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping:	КЕ* R3 Dredger
Length, not less than:	68 m
Maximum width:	12.2 m
Draft, not more than:	2.1 m
Hull length, not less than:	43 m
Freeboard height:	2 m
Water capacity of the dredging plant, not less than:	7,000 m3/h
Suction pipe diameter:	650 mm – 800 mm
Pressure pipe diameter:	650 mm – 800 mm
Minimum depth of excavation, not more than:	3 m
Maximum depth of excavation:	15 m
Maximum width of the slot at maximum depth of excavation, not less than:	50 m
Articulated pipe joint for floating ground pipe (length of ground pipe, not less than):	800 m
Suction head: constant power on the cutter shaft, not less than:	500 kW

Main characteristics and main dimensions of the supply vessel

Class of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping:	KM R3 AUT3 Ice1 (hull, machinery)
Overall hull length:	24.53 m
Width (overall width, including the fender guard):	9,53 m
Draft (overall):	not more than 1.6 m
Gross tonnage:	162
Area of navigation:	R3
Sea endurance:	7 days (based on fuel reserves)
Main propulsion power:	2 х 330 kW
Vessel's crane with lifting capacity:	2.5 tons at boom outreach of 10.5 m
Tank capacity: Fuel tanks (for own needs): Fuel supply tanks: Technical water tanks (for own needs): Drinking water tanks (supplies):	about 8 m3 about 35 m3 about 2.08 m3 about 23 m3
Tonnage: Empty:	about 88 tons
Rate of sailing:	9.7 nautical miles
Crew:	6 people

Photo provided by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and "Stroiliderplus", LLC