Sixth RST54 Project Tanker-Barge "Balt-Flot 5" Commissioned into Service
February 13, 2025

On June 1, 2016, the shipping company «BF Tanker» commissioned the combined tanker-barge «Balt-Flot 5» of the RST54 project (yard number 5406) with a deadweight of 5,745 tons.

 (C) Photo by Thunder (http://fleetphoto.ru)

The builder — Navashino-based Okskaya Shipyard.

The designer — Marine Engineering Bureau.

In 2014, the British Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) included the RST54 project among the year’s best ships (Significant Ships of 2014). On October 22, 2015, «Balt Flot 3» delivered dry cargo (crushed stone) from the Karelian port of Ropruchey to Moscow’s Northern River Port after unloading fuel oil in Vyborg. This marked the first round-trip voyage of an RST54 project combined vessel with cargo loaded in both directions.

The «Balt-Flot 5» was built under a contract signed on September 23, 2015, by «BF Tanker» for the construction of seven «Volgo-Don Max» class river-sea vessels: four «ultra-full» RST27 project tankers with a sea/river deadweight of 7,022/5,420 tons and three RST54 project combined tanker-barges with a deadweight of 5,745 tons, designed based on the RST27 tanker hull. All vessels are to be delivered in 2016. The lessor is PJSC «State Transport Leasing Company» (GTLK). Navashino’s Okskaya Shipyard (Director Vladimir Kulikov) is building three RST54 tanker-barges (two already delivered, the third launched) and two RST27 tankers (the first is scheduled for launch on June 8, 2016). Two RST27 tankers (one delivered, the second launched) — are being built by Nizhny Novgorod’s «Krasnoye Sormovo Plant» (General Director Nikolay Zharkov, part of JSC «United Shipbuilding Corporation»).

After inclining tests of the lead vessel, its deadweight at a river draft of 3.60 m reached 5,745 tons, a record for the «Volgo-Don Max» class.

The key innovation of this concept is addressing bottlenecks in inland water transport through new technical solutions. This maximizes cargo capacity by optimizing navigational constraints (length, width) and, crucially, by using extremely full hull lines unprecedented in global practice. RST54 project vessels enable cargo loading in both directions (oil products one way, dry cargo the other), reducing road congestion by transporting cars and overweight containers typically hauled by trucks from St. Petersburg to central Russia.

Russian River Register class: + M-PR2.5 (ice30) A.

Like other Marine Engineering Bureau river-sea tankers, RST54 vessels use azimuth thrusters for propulsion and maneuvering.

RST54 vessels comply with the Volga-Don Canal and Volga-Baltic Route dimensions. Overall length: 140.85 m, beam: 16.6 m, hull depth: 5.0 m. Classified as «Volgo-Don Max» vessels.

Oil cargoes with a flashpoint above 60 °C are carried in ten cargo tanks (5,446 m³) and two slop tanks (207 m³). All tanks are separated from the outer hull by double bottom and double sides, meeting MARPOL 73/78 requirements.

The cargo system allows closed loading via shore facilities and discharge via submerged pumps. Manifolds for loading/discharging on both sides are located amidships and aft. Adapters for varying hose diameters are provided. Maximum loading rate per tank: 600 m³/h. Total loading rate: 1,200 m³/h.

The heating system, powered by two 2.5 t/h steam boilers, maintains cargo temperature at +60 °C (at -10 °C ambient) and heats cargo from 50 °C to 60 °C within 36 hours.

Dry cargoes resistant to moisture (metal, crushed stone, containers) are carried on the main deck (2.0 m bulwarks). Deck strength: 5.5 t/m², suitable for grab operations. Primary dry cargo: 4,700 t of crushed stone.

Containers are carried in two tiers on the main deck. Capacity: 120 heavy TEU (36 t each), unsuitable for road transport. The vessel can also carry 45 reefer containers.

Removable cassettes create two additional car decks. Loading/unloading via shore ramps. Capacity: 270–350 cars, depending on size.

Propulsion: two 1,200 kW medium-speed diesel engines (IFO380 fuel). Bow thruster: 230 kW.

Speed: 11.0 knots (at 3.60 m draft, 85% MCR).

Power plant: three 296 kW diesel generators + one 62 kW emergency generator.

Crew: 12. Berths: 14 + pilot.

Autonomy: 20 days (fuel, water, provisions).

RST54 project vessels timeline:

Lead vessel «Balt Flot 1» (5401): Laid down 16.12.2013. Launched 10.07.2014. Delivered 22.10.2014.

«Balt Flot 2» (5402): Laid down 24.01.2014. Launched 26.08.2014. Delivered 27.04.2015.

«Balt Flot 3» (5403): Laid down 05.03.2014. Launched 24.10.2014. Delivered 27.04.2015.

«Volga-Flot 10» (5404): Laid down 10.04.2014. Launched 16.04.2015. Delivered 27.11.2015.

«Balt Flot 4» (5405): Laid down 28.05.2014. Launched 19.11.2015. Delivered 26.04.2016.

«Balt Flot 5» (5406): Laid down 28.08.2014. Launched 17.03.2016. Delivered 01.06.2016.

«Balt Flot 6» (5407): Laid down 28.11.2014. Launched 21.04.2016.