VESSEL REVIEW | Argymak – Long-range hovercraft barge with 150-tonne carrying capability

Caspian Mainport Aktau, the Kazakhstan department of Athens-based marine companies and logistics firm the CMI Offshore Group, has begun working a brand new self-propelled air cushion barge (ACB) able to transporting as much as 150 tonnes of various cargo.

The RINA-classed Argymak is claimed by its homeowners because the world’s first self-propelled hovercraft barge in addition to the most important vessel of its variety. The ACB has a size of 56 metres, a beam of 24 metres, a draught of 1.2 metres, a crew complement of six, a spread of 300 nautical miles, and a most velocity of six knots at full load. The air cushion additionally permits for navigation even on shallow and icy waters, swamps, and tundra.

For propulsion, the ACB depends on three massive air followers on the stern for overland operations and two Hydromaster 368kW azimuthing thrusters for navigating in deeper waters. The thrusters additionally present enhanced manoeuvrability for working in additional restrictive environments.

Building of Argymak started in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2019 and was accomplished in Azerbaijan by Zykh Ship Restore and Building Yard, a division of Azerbaijan Caspian Transport Firm (ASCO). The ACB’s most important space of operations will embody Kazakhstan’s Kashagan offshore oil area within the northern Caspian Sea.

Design work on the ACB was carried out by CMI marine engineering subsidiary Mangistau ACV Options.

Click on right here for extra information, options, and vessel critiques as a part of this month’s give attention to naval structure.