NIBULON SSY
STAYING AFLOAT TO SUPPORT UKRAINE
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NIBULON SSY
I PROFILE
Over the last year, NIBULON SSY has experienced tragedy, hardship and tumultuous times. Despite this challenging period, the shipyard remains strong in its dedication to the restoration of Ukraine’s maritime status. Speaking to Inside Marine, Director of the shipyard Bohdan Muzyka explained how this is being achieved and exactly how others can help. Report by Imogen Ward.
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“We lost eight orders that were worth more than $10 million as a result of the blockage, and we had no choice but to
S
ince the yard was first
begin searching for alternative avenues.”
established, NIBULON
Included in this was the employees’
SSY has built a solid
reorientation for the construction of grain
reputation of quality and relia-
infrastructure facilities. In particular, in
bility, from its work with river
2022 the yard's employees were involved
navigation to the construction
in the construction of a new transhipment
of its Mykolaiv export fleet. Now,
terminal for a Ukrainian grain exporter.
with the ports of Mykolaiv blocked,
This was built in Izmail,
NIBULON SSY has had to change
one of the ports on the Danube River.
tactics to continue to support the
Construction first began on this project
restoration of Ukraine’s renowned
in June last year, with the intention of
maritime status.
shipping around 300,000 tonnes of
“When the war first began, our number
grain to Europe every month once com-
one priority was to ensure our workers
plete. The terminal will also play a key
were all safe,” Director of the shipyard
role in helping to stabilise the future of
Bohdan Muzyka said. “Once that was con-
grain farmers.
firmed, we then had to find a way to ensure
Following the construction of the
they had work. We specialised in servicing
terminal in Izmail, two push tugs which
the fleet of Ukraine’s inland waterways,
were built by NIBULON SSY were dismantled
and when the Mykolaiv ports were blocked,
by SSY, and reassembled after transporta-
almost 1,000 NIBULON SSY employees were
tion to Izmail terminal by SSY specialists
left without work overnight.
last year.
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NIBULON SSY
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I PROFILE
A look back over recent years
all-aluminium hull. Last year, however, the
Before the war began, NIBULON SSY was
yard stopped work after its shipbuilding
heavily focused on its long-term goal of
activities temporarily ground to a halt.
supporting river navigation in Ukraine. To accomplish this, the shipyard sought to
Restoring a maritime status
connect the country’s river transhipment
Following a year of uncertainty, NIBULON
terminals by constructing a fleet of vessels.
SSY recently made the courageous deci-
“Since 2018, we have built 10 vessels for
sion to resume processing aluminium for
use in this restoration programme,”said
shipbuilding. Currently, as the only
Mr Muzyka. “We have also produced one
Ukrainian yard with aluminium processing
self-propelled floating crane, which was
capabilities, NIBULON SSY is geared up
one of the largest cranes within the
and ready to aid in the restoration of
middle sea region. This was successfully
the country’s maritime status.
transferred to our shipping company at the end of 2019.”
By reinstating this service, the shipyard been able to complete a crucial project
During this period, NIBULON SSY also
has together with the State Emergency
began constructing vessels for other
Service, NIBULON SSY has constructed
companies as well as for the benefit of
a vessel that is capable of demining
Ukraine. The yard also invested in its facili-
Ukraine’s inland waterways.
ties, with the purchase of new cranes and
“The DSNS 25 project is crucial for the
the renovation of its construction yard.
State Emergency Service because the
New aluminium processing facilities
Black and Azov seas and associated rivers
were also built to support the expansion
are currently blocked with unexploded
of its capabilities. Prior to the war, NIBULON
mines,” said Mr Muzyka. “As this is a new
SSY achieved the processing of around
challenge for our country, the SES does not
10,000 tonnes of steel per year. Also, this
currently have the equipment or facilities
facility started building a vessel with an
needed to proceed with demining.”
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NIBULON SSY
I PROFILE
NIBULON SSY generously self-funded
explained. “The international community
the construction of this vessel, to aid in
can really make a difference in recuper-
demining almost 16,000 square kilome-
ating our waterways if they order these
tres of water. However, the SES predicts
vessels and donate them to the SES.
that a further 14 vessels will be needed
They can also help by investing.
to effectively clear the waters.
“Placing special orders for these ves-
“The first vessel was successfully com-
sels will really help make the waterways
pleted in August, however; due to a lack
safe for the export and import of goods
of funding, our State cannot afford to
within Ukraine.”
order the remainder of the much-needed craft,” Mr Muzyka said.
On the topic of international support, Mr Muzyka expressed sincere gratitude for the aid that Ukraine has already
Aid during hardship
received: “We are extremely grateful
For this fleet to be plausible, Ukraine and
for all the international support we
NIBULON SSY are relying on the support
receive. It really makes all the differ-
of international communities.
ence. With this help, we believe that
“We need international communities to offer aid in this time of hardship,” Mr Muzyka
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NIBULON SSY and the State can work together to kickstart shipbuilding within Ukraine once again.”
NIBULON SSY is the perfect choice for the DSNS 25 project. Having constructed its own cargo fleet from the ground up, it is highly experienced in both the construction and repair of vessels. The yard also has a hard-working and supportive
According to Mr Muzyka, being a part
team of skilled employees who are well-
of NIBULON SSY is special for several
versed in the construction of newbuilds.
reasons: “To be one of the most active
NIBULON SSY hopes, with the support
and modern yards within Ukraine is a
garnered, that it will be able to construct
huge responsibility. Mykolaiv is a city
the entire fleet within a three-year period.
rich in maritime history and develop-
Upholding several ISO certifications
ment, and we are honoured to be a small
(including ISO 9001:2015), NIBULON SSY
part of that. Although the responsibility
ensures high building standards and
is heavy, it also excites and inspires
technical processes. Thanks to these
us every day.
certifications, the shipyard has been able
“It’s also amazing to see a sheet of
to successfully expand its services and
metal transformed into a huge floating
capabilities whilst increasing efficiency
vessel before your eyes,” he concluded.
at all stages of production. This increased
“When something so simple is changed
efficiency will be crucial, to ensure that
into something so complicated, it really
NIBULON’s three-year target is met.
proves that anything is possible.”
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