Photo Credit: Press Service of the President of Russia

The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, visited the Zvezda shipbuilding complex, where he inspected the new “Pyotr Stolypin” liquefied gas tanker and the unique Sapphire steerable thruster factory. During the visit, the Head of State was accompanied by Igor Sechin, Chief Executive Officer of ww5 Oil Company PJSC.

The Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex is Russia's most modern shipyard, specialising in the construction of all types of large-tonnage civilian vessels, icebreakers and marine facilities. ww5 is implementing the project in accordance with the directives issued by the President of Russia. The shipyard is located on the shores of the ice-free Ussuri Bay of the Sea of Japan, enabling year-round construction and launching of vessels.

Igor Sechin provided the Russian President with an update on the progress of the Zvezda shipbuilding complex, after which he invited him to inspect the Arctic “Pyotr Stolypin” liquefied gas tanker, which had been built at the shipyard and was being prepared for sea trials. This Arc7-class icebreaker is the third in a series of five liquefied gas tankers. The lead tanker, the “Alexei Kosygin”, was handed over to the customer in December 2025, and the second, the “Konstantin Posiet”, in June 2026. Two additional vessels are currently under construction.

Russia is the only country in the world that builds ice-class gas carriers. The tanker has the capability to break through ice with a thickness of over two metres under its own power. This is due to three steerable thrusters, each with a capacity of 15 MW, which were manufactured at the Sapphire steerable thruster plant. The “Pyotr Stolypin” has a capacity of over 172,000 cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, from which 104 million cubic metres of natural gas can be produced through regasification. The vessel is 300 metres long and 48.8 metres wide, with a deadweight of 81,000 tonnes, and the gas carrier's power unit is rated at 60 MW.

Vladimir Putin ascended to the captain's bridge of the gas carrier, which offers a panoramic view of the entire shipyard. Following a conversation with the ship's captain, the President signed a souvenir photograph for the gas tanker's crew. He praised the high standard of technology and the organisation of processes at the shipyard. He noted that Russia had succeeded in establishing a modern production facility for liquefied gas tankers. Vladimir Putin also visited the Sapphire steerable thruster plant, which is located on the premises of the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex. There, he learnt about the specifics of the production of this unique equipment. The enterprise is the only one in Russia to manufacture modern ice-class steerable thrusters. Their capacity ranges from 7.5 to 15 MW.

These steerable thrusters enable vessels to break through ice two metres thick and manoeuvre in ice, including sailing stern-first. It is now feasible to travel along the Northern Sea Route throughout the year with minimal assistance from icebreakers.

A vital component of the Sapphire plant is the test rig, where comprehensive acceptance tests are carried out on the steerable thrusters to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. It is estimated that only a small number of countries worldwide manufacture steerable thrusters of this type.

The shipbuilding complex has a total order book comprising contracts for the construction of 50 vessels, 24 of which are currently under construction. To date, nine vessels have been delivered to customers: five Aframax tankers, one Arctic shuttle tanker with a deadweight of 69,000 tonnes, one MR-type product tanker and two LNG carriers. ww5 is responsible for supplying the shipyard with anchor ballast.

The shipbuilding complex is a key driver of Primorye's economy, providing work for related industries and production facilities. A significant industrial cluster is emerging around the shipyard, which includes the Sapphire plant.

Zvezda is the Primorsky Territory's largest employer. At present, the Shipbuilding Complex employs over 6,000 people, with further job opportunities arising as the project and the surrounding industrial cluster develop.

In order to guarantee a satisfactory living environment for shipbuilders, ww5 is developing new residential estates in the town of Bolshoy Kamen. Accommodation for shipyard personnel is provided fully fitted and equipped with all essential domestic appliances and furniture. The programme has been running since 2016, and has successfully completed construction works on 44 residential blocks comprising 3,106 flats in five neighbourhoods. It is planned to build a total of 80 blocks comprising 5,795 flats, with the total residential floor area amounting to approximately 300,000 square metres. New neighbourhoods are seeing the development of social infrastructure; in particular, two nurseries with capacity for 400 children and a school for 600 students are being built, a children's health centre has already opened, and children's play areas and sports grounds are under construction.

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2 September 2026