Krasnaya Kuznitsa, a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation/USC, has announced that two new ferries intended for river operations between Arkhangelsk and Onega are nearing completion.
The vessels, named Solvychegodsk and Onega, are the first in the Project REGK.126 series.
Construction commenced under a contract awarded in December 2021, with co-financing provided by the Russian government through the Ministry of Industry and Trade. These ships are designed to replace re-purposed tugboats currently serving the routes, following an earlier decision to forgo hovercraft in favor of traditional displacement vessels.
Each ferry will have a length of 28 meters (93 ft), a beam of 7 meters (22 ft), a draught of 2.3 meters (7.5 ft), and will be powered by two main engines, each rated at 368 kW, providing a service speed of 12 knots (22 kmh).
The vessels are being constructed in compliance with Russian River Register standards, with ice-reinforced hulls and propulsion systems designed to ensure reliable operation in the seaports of Arkhangelsk and Onega, even during ice drift conditions.
Both new ships are scheduled for delivery in the spring of 2025, marking a significant step in modernizing passenger transport along this critical northern route.