Austria is ready to help Ukraine modernize the Danube fleet

Photo: Austrian shipyard ÖSWAG.

The Austrian shipyard agreed to help modernize the fleet of the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company.

The UDS delegation visited the Austrian shipyard Österreichische Schiffswerften AG (ÖSWAG). UDS plans to modernize the first four non-self-propelled vessels built at this shipyard, the company’s press service reported.

Therefore, the Ukrainian delegation held consultations regarding possible cooperation with the shipbuilding company. The latter has successfully implemented similar projects for Bulgaria and some other countries.

For Eastern European colleagues, ÖSWAG only replaced engines and some other equipment. The specificity of UDS vessels is that the fleet has not been modernized in the last 40-50 years. Therefore, on these vessels, all the filling will have to be cleaned, leaving only the hull.

The Austrian shipyard offered to create modern vessels with new engines, an automated control system, new cabins for the crew, etc. on the basis of old hulls. The company has retained the UDP ship construction projects and is ready to create a detailed list of works, materials and equipment for the modernization project. This will make it possible to understand the amount of work that can be done in Ukraine, and to form an approximate budget.

In addition, during the meeting, the issue of the most optimal option for new engines from the point of view of environmental requirements, economy, reliability, resource and delivery terms was also considered. Europeans are also concerned about the investment climate in Ukraine and the risks of corruption.

The UDS noted that they will hold negotiations with other shipbuilding companies, after which they will choose an applicant for the modernization of the fleet.