During winter mooring at the transshipment terminal, the fleet operation department of NIBULON’s shipping company has performed vessel maintenance. At present the specialists are performing preventive repair of 24 non-self-propelled vessels of mixed (“river-sea”) navigation of the NBL-90 project. The POSS-115 project tugs will be submitted to the Shipping Register of Ukraine for approval.
Meanwhile, the service of the captain-instructor at NIBULON’s shipping company has conducted an audit of each vessel according to the requirements of NIBULON’s Certified Safety Management System. As part of the audit, the specialists checked documentation and compliance of the crew qualification documents with the STCW-78 Convention. The specialists gave consideration to the knowledge of job descriptions by the crew personnel and their actions in case of emergency.
The aim of the audit was to check the condition of the vessels, navigation and radio-navigation equipment, machine and deck illumination. In particular, the vessels were inspected for readiness to operate in ice conditions.
During the fleet preparation, the company performs a set of practical and training measures, such as training and practice alarm: man overboard, fire, damage control.
The company is holding a tender for diving inspection of hydraulic structures. NIBULON shipbuilding and repair yard produces new signs to ensure navigation safety in ice conditions.
As part of the investment project to revive the Ukrainian rivers as transport waterways, NIBULON has been developing its own fleet for several years. At present the shipping company numbers 28 non-self-propelled vessels, 6 self-built tugs under the POSS-115 project (2 tugs were constructed at NIBULON shipbuilding and repair yard), 3 purchased tugs, St.Mykolai self-propelled floating crane constructed by NIBULON’s order, plus a dredger made in Finland.   At present the shipbuilders are constructing the 121 project tugs at NIBULON shipbuilding and repair yard (the company plans to construct 12 vessels of the 121 project); the construction of non-self-propelled vessels of the NBL-91 project is at the preparatory stage (NIBULON is going to build 12 vessels); NIBULON plans to construct 35 self-propelled vessels in future.
In 2014, NIBULON’s fleet transported, including for export, more than 2.5 million tons of grain.  When the company’s investment program to revive the Dnipro and the Southern Bug is completed, the volume of river transportation will be 3 million tons.