Delivery of mv "Vladimir Tikhonov"

On 15 June 2006 Sovcomflot - the biggest shipping company of Russia – expanded its fleet with mv “Vladimir Tikhonov” - another large-capacity tanker. The ceremony of naming and delivery took place at the shipyard of “ Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine Engineering” (Republic of Korea).
Tanker “Vladimir Tikhonov” of 162,000 dwt is the largest vessel in the history of Soviet and Russian merchant marine. The tanker’s LOA is 280.5 metres, moulded breadth is 50.0 metres and maximum draught is 16.5 meters. At present it is yet impossible to construct such a vessel at Russian shipyards.
The tanker has a very high ice class (1A in accordance with international classification) and meets all the requirements of international conventions in the sphere of safety of navigation. It is designed to carry crude oil from the Northern regions of the Baltic Sea year-round.
The ship meets all the requirements of the Port of Primorsk. It was specially designed for the transportation of oil from this Russian port considered to be one of the most advanced, state-of-the-art facility.
The tanker is double-hulled and is equipped with a bow thruster to improve the vessel’s maneuverability and with four blades controllable pitch propeller (CPP). The direction and speed can be changed by the adjustment of the propeller’s blades which diminishes the risk of damaging the propulsion system when operating in ice conditions.
The tanker is also equipped with electronically controlled type main engine of 29.5 ths. hp with electronic fuel supply which contributes to optimum performance and to the reduction of emission in exhaust gases, and provides for minimum fuel consumption.
The vessel’s wheelhouse is of totally enclosed winds type to make the work of the seamen more comfortable in conditions when outdoor temperature is about - 30^î C.
Mv “Vladimir Tikhonov” is the tanker of optimum capacity for operation in the Baltic Sea. The design draught allows the tanker to take 1m barrels of oil on board, which is by 1.5 times more than other tankers operating in this region can carry. This allows to reduce the intensity of maritime traffic in the area and to strengthen safety of navigation.
The operation of mv “Vladimir Tikhonov” will make it possible to cut down transportation expenses while exporting oil from Primorsk to Northern Europe – a strategically important route.
By good maritime tradition Sovcomflot named the tanker after Vladimir Tikhonov – a sea captain and a prominent seaman.


JSC “Sovcomflot” is the biggest shipping company of Russia specializing in seaborne transportation of energy.
The Company’s fleet is comprised of 52 vessels of the total deadweight of 4.1m tons. The order portfolio contains 20 ships of the total of 1.3m dwt., i.e. 14 tankers, 4 gas carriers designed to carry liquefied natural gas and 2 gas carriers for transportation of liquefied petroleum gas.
Sovcomflot’s tanker fleet is one of the youngest in the world, the average age being 5.2 years. All tankers are double-hulled.
Aiming at developing industrial shipping, Sovcomflot is one of the leaders in working out logistical decisions for major Russian and international oil and gas companies.
The Company employs 2,690 seamen and 337 people of onshore personnel.

Vladimir Ivanovich Tikhonov was a sea captain and a prominent seafarer. He worked as the Deputy and the First Deputy of the Minister of Merchant Marine of the USSR for more than 20 years. Vladimir Tikhonov was one of the founders of JSC “Sovcomflot” – the first national shipping company established in compliance with international standards and practice.
Vladimir Tikhonov was decorated with the Order of Lenin, the Order of October Revolution, with two Orders of Red Banners of Labour, the Order of Honour, the Order of Friendship of Nations, the Order of Great Patriotic War of II grade, with five medals, with the Honorary Diploma of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation and the Badge of the Honorary Maritime Transport Worker.


Sovkomflot Press-Centre