NIBULON often stressed the importance of reviving the Dnipro and the Southern Bug as important navigable waterways in Ukraine; thus, the company has developed a unique plan to revive river logistics. The plan provides for both the construction of NIBULON’s own trade (passenger in perspective) fleet and the dredging of the given rivers that are silted up long ago and became shallow.
History.Till 1991, cargoes were transported along the Southern Bug by 559 project vessels from Voznesensk town (up to 1,500 tons) and by grain barges (draught – 2.10 m and capacity – 1,400 tons).
By the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated June 12, 1996 No. 640,the Southern Bug is considered to be navigable, and it was included into a list of inland waterways of international importance (Е40-02) by the European Agreement on Main Inland Waterways of International Importance (1996).
Now, inmarketconditions and taking into account the need todevelopandimplementthemostprofitable (intermsofeconomy) logisticssystems, theSouthernBug’spotentialas a transport artery is increasing.
On October 16, 2015, visiting NIBULON shipbuilding and repair yard, the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko personally gave a start to dredging. The company started dredging in less than a week.
NIBULON repeatedly addressed itself to the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine initiating improvement of the river’s navigable conditions by combined effort (compensating actual expenses by giving a targeted discount on certain port dues). Relying on partnership relations with the Ministry, NIBULON proposed twenty-three reasonable propositions. Unfortunately, the company was refused; the state institution declined propositions as to the Dnipro navigability improvement, and NIBULON’s propositions concerning the Southern Bug were not considered at all.
Finally, having obtained all the required permissive documentation within the current legislation, NIBULON had to start dredging the Southern Bug by its own means.
The dredging project aims to clear the silt from the Southern Bug’s separate reaches in order to achieve design depths existed in 1991. This will promote the increase in cargo transportation by water and the revival of passenger navigation in Mykolayiv region.
NIBULON will perform dredging in phases: the first stage – Mykolayiv – Nova Odesa area; the second stage – Nova Odesa – Voznesensk area.
At present NIBULON is performing the first stage. The company started dredging the river from Sapetnya village (Mykolayiv district) towards Gurivka village (Nova Odesa district), using machinery belonged to its shipping company – a Watermaster Classic 4 NBC 4006 dredger with a capacity by pulp of up to 600 m³ per hour.
The multipurpose pontoon machinery with a 500 l grab and a cutter suction dredge uses the main sludge line of up to 300 m length. The dredger is completely autonomous: it has its own propulsion system, and its speed is about 4 knots by water (7.4 km per hour), and an excavator handle and rear stabilizers ensure movement by land.
NIBULON dredged more than 11 km, having increased the depth from 1.7 m to 2.4 m.
The total volume of pulp removed comprises 6,450 m³. In order to transport this pulp, it is necessary to involve two non-self-propelled vessels (NBL-91 project).
The bottom soil consists of sand and silt. According to the project, it will be placed into 17 specialized stockpiles with protective dams located in the river’s shore within territorial borders of three districts (Voznesensk, Nova Odesa and Mykolayiv districts).
At present NIBULON has made two stockpiles of 1,000 m2, where pulp is placed.
It should be mentioned that in order to preserve the environment, land plots will be planted with trees, plants, etc. upon completion of stockpiles recultivation.
The total time spent for dredging can be divided into stages: operating period; preparatory period (re-laying of main sludge line, dredger movement, adjusting works and stockpile arrangement); waiting period (caused by weather conditions). Despite weather caprices, the dredger crew has already worked 408 hours, i.e. 17 days.
Upon completion of the first stage, NIBULON will be able to implement the next schemes to improve navigation:
– from Varvarivka bridge (Mykolayiv city) to Shostakove village – a pusher tug with three non-self-propelled vessels;
– from Shostakove village to Nova Odesa town – a pusher tug with two non-self-propelled barges vessels.
NIBULON will use non-self-propelled NBL-91 project vessels (draught loaded – 2.7 m; displacement – 3,750 tons; length – 90 m) on inland waterways in Mykolayiv region.
The implementation of the first stage of dredging will enable to load vessels to their design depth when sailing along the Southern Bug.
According to the project, the maximum depth of navigable path will reach up to 2.9 m. The length of the improved navigable path will comprise 31.3 km, and the total length of navigable paths on the Southern Bug will be 102.2 km that can be compared with NIBULON’s 1,135 non-self-propelled vessels assembled into convoy.
Taking into account the inter-navigation period that will start in December, the dredging works are performed in shifts without interruption. NIBULON responsibly performs its obligations taken before the community in the region. The Southern Bug will become a navigable artery, and it won’t be associated with economic and environmental burden of the region.
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