NIBULON’s shipping company is a young subdivision that was created in 2009 since the beginning of implementation of the patriotic investment program to revive the Dnipro River and other rivers of Ukraine as transport waterways of Ukraine. The company’s own fleet numbers 28 non-self-propelled vessels, 7 modern tugs, Watermaster Classic IV dredger made in Finland. St. Mykolai floating crane will join them soon. “Our fleet is the only modern river fleet of Ukraine that was created taking into consideration prospects of navigation development on inland water ways of Ukraine. The vessels are equipped with modern equipment, and the latest modern technologies are used. The company’s vessels are maximally adapted to conditions of the Ukrainian rivers and locks; thus, at present NIBULON’s fleet is the most perfect in the country in terms of constructive decisions with the largest tonnage. Our seamen are a match for vessels. They all were born in Ukraine. In order to follow navigation safety, they undergo training regularly and improve their professional skills. The company organizes trainings itself without involving crewing companies. The company’s successes were acknowledged by the National Maritime Rating. It was NIBULON that revived a cadet program providing trainings to future seamen”, tells Dmytro Sokolov, the shipping company director. Andriy Gorchenok, a chief dispatcher of the fleet, adds, “Our subdivision is very young. But we are proud that during our work there were no emergency situations with participation of our vessels. This is due to our crews and their professionalism, level of preparedness, and also due to well-coordinated actions of all our departments which ensure safety and efficient work of the fleet. There should be mentioned equipment of the vessels with high-tech navigation devices, accurate calculation of the towing train capacities during task performance. NIBULON’s peculiarity is technical equipment and level of personnel training. This allows us to be competitive company on inland waterways of Ukraine and to leave behind majority of other specialized companies”. “Certainly, Ukraine is not Great Britain washed by seas from every quarter. But we have advantageous geographical location in the center of Europe; Ukraine has powerful waterways and accesses to them (the Dnipro and the Danube Rivers), we have a shore in the water areas of the Black Sea. Thus, trade fleet must take the major part of Ukraine’s transport infrastructure. That is why due to the Ukrainian government support there should be created a fleet cult taking into consideration historical tradition and powerful production base for construction of vessels (plants, shipyards). Our country has a huge teaching and scientific potential for preparation of specialists. Unfortunately, all these intentions are implemented only by NIBULON”, mentions Andriy Volik, NIBULON’s deputy general director of navigation safety. The employees of the shipping company from a skipper to a director are convinced that Ukrainian waterways must operate. Oleksandr Shmakov, the shipping company’s deputy director on economy issues notes that water transportation is the most profitable, ecological, and safety. Ukraine and Mykolayiv city must revive shipbuilding fame. For information. The amount of agricultural products transported by NIBULON on inland water ways of Ukraine (including for export) comprised 1.3 mln tons. On completion of the investment program implementation the amount of cargo transportation will comprise up to 3 mln tons every year! A guarantee of success is a professional team, including almost 200 employees of the shipping company who ensure operation of own cargo fleet completely. When answering the question about his professional leader Oleksandr Shmakov tells, “Professional leader is a collective image. It is all my colleagues, partners, people whose knowledge I adopt. It is necessary to single out Andriy Volik for his purposefulness and persistence. It is an honour for me to develop new horizons of profession with such a person even through trials and errors”. Is a seaman a profession or a calling? Sergiy Pomaz shared, “When I was a child I read much about sea, admired seamen; consequently, when I had to choose my future profession I did not hesitate and was never sorry for my choice. A seaman is a profession. Romance is always in the heart but it is pushed to the sidelines during the first voyage. Our profession is a synonym of strength, will, manliness, honesty. My colleagues have all these qualities of real seamen”. A striking example of professionalism and manliness of the crews is the event on the Kremenchuk Reservoir on October 29, 2011, when the crew of NIBULON-1 rescued a seaman on board a non-self-propelled vessel which ran into a gale, and then the crew unmoored the vessel that was not able to sail. Professionalism of the crew and technical equipment of the tug, including its maneuverability, allowed to perform this action in normal mode within a couple of hours. Sergiy Lypara, a skipper, dreams to be a captain. But he tries to find a golden mean in order not to stay too long overland and not to be far away from his family. According to him, NIBULON’s working conditions correspond to his requirements: a seaman remains an acting sailor and voyages are not too long. “I am lucky. Destiny and probably some sea forces help me. I do not believe in occupational omens, but I do believe in my colleagues and vessel’s safety”, he adds. A woman onboard a vessel is a rarity even working as a cook. But Natalya Pasichnyk is an exception. “Marine profession is our family tradition. My relatives and husband linked their destiny to fleet. That is why I decided to leave a restaurant and work as a cook. My friends advised me NIBULON. As opposed to my previous work I have met moral support, respect here. Showing my gratitude for such treatment I regularly cook desserts and favourite dishes of the crew”. “Due to NIBULON I have learnt to work in a team. I share my experience (20 years of ship repair) with my colleagues. While working for NIBULON we adopt the international level. For example, recently we have visited Liebherr company (Austria) where we have undergone service training, as the floating crane with crane equipment produced by this company will be delivered to Mykolayiv city soon. The main thing is that we teach each other mutual respect and reciprocal assistance”, tells Volodymyr Dementev, a mechanic. *** Dear colleagues! Due to your efforts NIBULON revives and develops national marine traditions of Ukraine. You promote our company not only as one of the leaders of the agricultural sector, but also as a powerful shipping company. We congratulate you on the holiday of courage. Seven feet under the keel!