The new dry cargo ship of the Volga Shipping Company, "Vladimir Yerigin," has embarked on its first voyage.

      On August 6, 2025, at 17:54 [162], Society The third RSD71 project vessel departed from the port of Tolyatti after being loaded with wheat. Before its first voyage, the crew tested all onboard systems, the company’s shore staff arranged the necessary permits, and ensured the vessel was supplied with fuel and provisions. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Volga Shipping Company team, Vladimir Erigin set sail just three months after the second RSD71 series vessel, Leonid Bagrov, and four months after the flagship of the series, the dry-cargo ship Constructor Egorov. "The first voyage is the result of long and meticulous work. I thank the company for their trust, as this is a new stage and a great responsibility for me. We, the crew, worked hard alongside everyone else to ensure the vessel left harbor without issues and to showcase its best during operation. The onboard team is reliable; with such people, any task is achievable. I am confident that modern equipment and the latest technologies will assist us in our work," said Captain Sergey Ovchinnikov of the dry-cargo ship Vladimir Erigin. "In the first voyage, the main goal is to get acquainted with the strictest inspector. And who is stricter than the sea? The sea will show what the vessel is capable of. The equipment here is modern, automation levels are high—I have worked with such systems before. If all is set up correctly, there should be no issues. So far, impressions are good, and the rest will be tested during the first voyage," emphasized Chief Engineer Vadim Filyushin. Captain of the dry-cargo ship Sergey Ovchinnikov (left) and Chief Mate Semyon Trunov. The dry-cargo ship project was developed by the Marine Engineering Bureau and is a continuation of the RSD59 project. The main advantage of the RSD71 over other modern vessels is its versatility, ensuring efficient operation both in sea with a deadweight of 7,159 tons and in river navigation with a deadweight of 4,381 tons. The upgraded design allows expanding the transportation geography and delivering cargo to ports inaccessible to vessels of the RSD59 project by size. The new vessel complies with the modern environmental standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concerning emissions reduction. Its engines are equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems that reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, meeting the Tier III standards of the MARPOL international convention. Additionally, the dry-cargo ship has advanced automation and navigation support systems, including IP telephony and a VSAT satellite communication terminal. A Gilat modem integrated into the terminal provides unlimited satellite internet access. The mast of the Vladimir Erigin is fitted with a new model multimode GSM modem with a more modern module to enhance internet signal quality. Fact: The third RSD71 vessel is named after Vladimir Vladimirovich Erygin, head of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Black Sea Ports Administration" (2014–2020), an honorary worker of the maritime fleet, and an honorary worker of transportation in Russia. The overall length of the RSD71 project vessels is 119.96 meters, width 16.9 meters, and side height 6 meters. Class: KM * Ice2 R2 AUT1-ICS BWM(T) CONT (deck and hold) DG (bulk; pack) DE-Tier III A-Thuster (M) General dry cargo. Draft varies depending on operating conditions: 4.9 meters in the sea and 3.6 meters in the river. Propulsion power: 2 x 1200 kW. Spacious cargo hold volume of 9,063 cubic meters with dimensions (L/B/H) 83.85 x 12.24 x 9.00 meters, enabling effective transportation of various cargo types, including oversized and containerized goods. Endurance is 20 days; speed is 10.7 knots. NI "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999–2025 NI "Nizhny Novgorod". When reproducing, a hyperlink to NI "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain 18+ materials.