Vuosaari shipyard

The site of the former Vuosaari shipyard during the construction of the new harbour in 2007. The green buildings in the middle were the old block assembly halls. Part of the dry dock is visible in the right edge of the picture.

Vuosaari shipyard was a shipyard located in the district of Vuosaari in Helsinki, Finland. Built by the Finnish state-owned company Valmet Oy in the 1970s, the shipyard delivered 33 newbuildings and participated in building around 100 other vessels before it was closed in 1987. The facilities were used by various ship repair companies the construction of the new Vuosaari harbour cut the connection to the sea in 2004. Despite various plans to re-use the old dry dock, now located inside the harbour perimeter, it remains without use as of 2013.

History

In 1946 a number of Finnish state-owned heavy industry enterprises were combined to a single conglomerate called Valtion Metallitehtaat (State Metalworks), which acquired several shipyards in Helsinki, Turku and Uusikaupunki. The first ships were oceangoing fishing trawlers built in Suomenlinna for the Soviet Union as part of the Finnish war reparations. In 1950 the company was incorporated and its name was shortened to Valmet Oy, and in the following year a new shipyard was built in Katajanokka in downtown Helsinki. After the war reparations had been paid in full, the future of the state-owned shipyard remained uncertain until the Suez Crisis in 1956, which increased the worldwide demand for new ships and brought new contracts for Valmet as well. Later the company constructed a long series of accommodation ships for the Soviet Union.[1]

However, Valmet was not able to compete with private companies in the newbuilding market, and in 1963 a decision was made to switch focus on repairing existing ships and maintain only limited newbuilding capability on a single shipyard.[1] When demand for new ships increased considerably in the mid-1960s, the shipbuilding strategy of Valmet changed considerably.[2] As the size of new ships was expected to increase in the future, there was a danger that the state-owned shipbuilding company would not be able to compete in the lucrative newbuilding market. Since expanding the shipyard located in the middle of the capital city was deemed impossible, a decision was made to construct a completely new shipyard in Vuosaari.[1]

The Vuosaari shipyard was built in 1971–1974. The new dry dock was 56 metres (184 ft) wide and 9.5 metres (31 ft) deep, but only 260 metres (853 ft) long at first. However, during the construction it was decided to lengthen it to 380 metres (1,250 ft) due to the growing demand of large crude oil tankers. Blocks weighing up to 500 tons could be constructed in the production halls, and lifted to the construction basin with four 150-ton cranes. When the new shipyard was opened, Valmet also moved its two floating docks of 5,000 and 12,000 tons, used for maintenance and repair docking of smaller vessels, from Katajanokka to Vuosaari. In 1984 an intermediate gate was built so that part of the shipyard could be flooded while the other part was used for docking.[2]

Between 1974 and 1987 Vuosaari shipyard delivered 33 new ships and participated in building around 100 other vessels. These include four 153,000 DWT crude oil tankers for Norwegian shipping company Klaveness in 1977–1979, four large barge carriers, ten SA-15 and SA-15 Super class Arctic cargo ships in 1983–1987, and the first large cruiseferry, Birka Princess for Birka Line, in 1986. The majority of the newbuildings were built for the Soviet Union. The last newbuilding, barge Espa for ESL Shipping, was delivered in 1987.[2]

Vuosaari shipyard was merged with Wärtsilä in 1986, forming Wärtsilä Marine, of which Valmet Oy owned 30%. After the downturn in shipbuilding in the mid-1980s, the company decided to close the Vuosaari shipyard on 13 January 1987 and move the shipbuilding to Helsinki Shipyard in Hietalahti. In 1987–1991 various shipping companies rented the old shipyard from Wärtsilä for routine dockings. The cranes were sold in 1991, two to Germany and two to Rauma shipyard. Several ship repair companies operated in and around the old dry dock until 2004, when the construction of the new harbour cut the connection to the sea.[2]

The old shipyard area has since been occupied by other companies. ABB Marine used the old block assembly halls for the construction of Azipods until 2007,[3] Aker Arctic opened a new ice model test facility next to the old dry dock in 2006,[4] and Paulig constructed a modern coffee roasting plant where the main gate once stood.[5] Over the years most of the old buildings, such as the design office close to the dry dock gate, have been demolished. The intermediate gate was also later scrapped and its steel plating was later reused in a barge.

Currently the dry dock is empty and unused, and while several ideas have been presented, nothing significant has been realized. In 2008 there were plans to use the basin as a storage for empty shipping containers, and for this purpose the floor and walls were strengthened with concrete and a new wall was built in front of the old steel gate.[6] However, as of 2013 the dry dock, which remains the longest in Finland,[note 1] is still without use.

Ships built in Vuosaari

Between 1974 and 1987 the following vessels were delivered from the Vuosaari shipyard with the exception of one crude oil tanker that received a yard number but was later cancelled. As of 2013, less than half of the newbuildings built at Vuosaari remain in service.

Ship name(s) DWT Year Type (as built) Yard number IMO number Status (8/2012) Notes Image Ref
Magnitogorsk (1976–1996)
Euroshipping Two (1996–1997)
Daisy (1997–2000)
Rosanne (2000–2004)
Rosario (2004–2006)
Naesborg (2006–2011) 		22,690 1976 Ro-ro 282 7359553 Scrapped in 2011 Sister ships: Komsomolsk, Anatoliy Vasilyev and Smolensk. [7]
Komsomolsk (1976–1995)
Kotlini (1995–1997)
Nicole (1997–2000)
Roxanne (2000–2006)
Nordborg (2006–2009)		 22,690 1976 Ro-ro 283 7359565 Scrapped in 2009 [8]
Tebostar (1974–1994)
Azerot (1994–2003)
B.F.C.-I (2003)
Delta I (2003–2004) 		6,060 1974 Product tanker 284 7359577 Scrapped in 2004 The last ship launched from Katajanokka shipyard and the first ship delivered from Vuosaari shipyard. Broke in two after collision with container ship APL Pusan on 13 September 2004. Towed to Sachana, India, for scrapping. [9][10]
Sommerstad (1977–1983)
Tornado (1983)
Goktürk (1983–1996)
Eliki (1996–2001) 		153,200 1977 Crude oil tanker 285 7359589 Scrapped in 2001 Sister ships: Solstad, Sangstad, Siljestad and a cancelled fifth tanker. When the shipping company filed for bankruptcy in 1983, the ships were returned to Valmet, which resold them in 1983–1984. [11][12]
Solstad (1977–1983)
Buyuk Hun (1983–1984) 		153,200 1977 Crude oil tanker 286 7359591 Scrapped in 1986 Attacked by Iraqi fighters on 3 June 1984 while underway in ballast from Tutunciftlik, Turkey to Kharg Island, Iran. Two Exocet missiles hit the superstructure and the engine room, starting a fire, killing three crew members and injuring two. Later towed to Bushir, Iran, where declared total loss and sold to Taiwanese breakers in 1986. [13]
Sangstad (1978-1983)
Altano (1983–1984)
Avar (1984–1998)
Ava (1998–1999)
Eagle (1999–2003)		 153,200 1978 Crude oil tanker 287 7359606 Scrapped in 2003 [14][15]
Siljestad (1978–1983)
Caldereta (1983-1984)
Buyuk Timur (1984–1995)
Westgate (1995–1996)
Enalios Thetis (1996–2001)
Glory Sea (2001–2003) 		153,200 1978 Crude oil tanker 288 7359618 Scrapped in 2003 [16][17]
NB Westfal-Larsen 153,200 — Crude oil tanker 289 | — Cancelled
Yulius Fuchik (1978–1998)
Production driller (1998–2002)
Asian Alliance (2002–2003)
Alliance (2003) 		37,850 1978 Barge carrier 290 7505322 Scrapped in 2003 Featured in the novel Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy. Sister ship: Tibor Szamueli. [18]
Tibor Szamueli (1979–1998)
Development driller (1998–2002)
Asian Reliance (2002–2003)
Reliance (2003)
C Reliance (2003) 		37,850 1979 Barge carrier 291 7505334 Scrapped in 2003 [19]
Sibirskiy-2101 3,162 1980 Dry cargo ship 292 8862284 In service "Project 292" dry cargo river/sea ships built by Valmet for the Soviet Union, named Sibriskiy-2101–2109 and 2120–2129. [20]
Sibirskiy-2103 (1980–2013)
Isabelle I (2013–2014)
Madeleine I (2014–)		 3,162 1980 Dry cargo ship 293 7801855 In service [21]
Sibirskiy-2105 (1980–2002)
Kapitan Orlov (2002–)		 3,162 1980 Dry cargo ship 294 7801879 In service [22]
Sibirskiy-2107 (1980–2000)
Kapitan Pashnin (2000–) 		3,162 1980 Dry cargo ship 295 7801893 In service(?) Classification suspended by Russian Maritime Register of Shipping since 2005. [23]
Tebo Olympia (1980–2005)
Angeles B (2005–2011) 		11,474 1980 Product tanker 296 7813327 Scrapped in 2011 [24]
Järvsaar 60 1979 Winter trawler 297 — —
L-915 (1979–??)
Kupeli		 — 1979 Tugboat 298 — In service
Hankoniemi — 1980 Transport boat 299 — Decommissioned Hauki class transport boat constructed in Kotka but delivered from the Vuosaari shipyard for the Finnish Navy. Decommissioned and sold to reservist organization in 2007. Sister vessels: Hirsala and Houtskär. Pirkanmaa, ex-Hankoniemi [25]
Hirsala — 1980 Transport boat 300 — In service
Houtskär — 1980 Transport boat 301 — In service
Ahven 1
Ahven 2
Ahven 3
Ahven 4
Ahven 5
Ahven 6 		— 1979 Training boat 302 — Decommissioned Six training and work boats for the Finnish Navy. Constructed in Kotka but delivered from the Vuosaari shipyard. Decommissioned and sold to civilians in the 2000s.
Julanta (FIN-137-U) 60 1979 Winter trawler 303 — Scrapped in 2005 [26]
Anatoliy Vasilyev (1981–1997)
Katsina (1997–1999)
Jolly Celeste (1999–2000)
Laura Delmas (2000–2002)
Repubblica de La Boca (2002)
Laura (2002–2004)
Nds Prospector (2004–2008)
Niledutch Prospector (2008–2010)
Spector (2010) 		22,447 1981 Ro-ro 304 7910656 Scrapped in 2010 [27][28]
Smolensk (1981–1995)
Euroshipping Three (1995–1996)
Alyona (1996–2010) 		22,447 1981 Ro-ro 305 7910668 Scrapped in 2010 [29]
Vikla (1982–2004)
Vikland (2004–2007)
Lister (2007–2014) 		8,288 1982 Product tanker 306 7924176 Scrapped in 2014 Sold to an undisclosed buyer in auction after a 76-day detention in Gibraltar in 2009. Classification withdrawn by Det Norske Veritas in 2009. [30][31]
Shelltrans (1982–1994)
Acila (1994–1999)
Bacalan (1999–2001)
Vega Desgagnés (2001–) 		11,548 1982 Product tanker 307 7927960 In service [32]
Arctic Scan (1982–1983)
Melkki (1983–2004)
Sinimeri (2004–2005)
Aegean Pride I (2005–2010)
Pride (2010) 		11,538 1982 Product tanker 308 8027195 Scrapped in 2010 [33]
Polar Scan (1982–1983)
Rankki (1983–2000)
Omega af Donsö (2000–2006)
Kingston (2006–2012)
Reem-1 (2012–2014)
Syros II (2014–)		 11,538 1982 Product tanker 309 8027200 In service [34]
Nizhneyansk (1983–1996)
Magdalena Oldendorff (1996–2003)
Ocean Luck (2003–2010)
Captain Kurbatskiy (2010–2011) 		20,000 1983 Ro-ro/General cargo 310 8013065 Scrapped in 2011 SA-15 class arctic cargo ship. Sister ships built at Vuosaari: Okha, Bratsk, Kemerovo and Anadyry. [35]
Okha (1983–1995)
Speybank (1995–2006)
Mahinabank (2006–2009) 		20,000 1983 Ro-ro/General cargo 311 8013077 Scrapped in 2009 [36]
Bratsk (1983–1995)
Arunbank (1995–2006)
Tikeibank (2006–2009) 		20,000 1983 Ro-ro/General cargo 312 8013089 Scrapped in 2009 [37]
Rossvik 60 1981 Trawler 313 8027212 In service Constructed in Kotka but delivered from the Vuosaari shipyard.
Boris Polevoy (1984–2000)
Smit Express (2000–2002)
Midnight Express (2002–2006)
Express (2006–2013)
Lewek Express (2013–)		 8,770 1984 Barge carrier 314 8116049 In service Converted to a pipe-laying ship in 2002. Sister ship: Pavel Antokolskiy. [38]
Pavel Antokolskiy (1984–1999)
Smit Explorer (1999–2003)
Explorer (2003–2011)
Karadeniz Powership Zeynep Sultan (2011–) 		8,770 1984 Barge carrier 315 8116051 In service Converted to floating power station in 2011. [39]
Kemerovo (1983–2000)
Marathon II (2000–2005)
Professor Barabanov (2005–2012)		 20,000 1983 Ro-ro/General cargo 316 8120662 Scrapped in 2012 [40]
Anadyry (1984–2000)
Emerald Sea (2000–2011)		 20,000 1984 Ro-ro/General cargo 317 8120674 Scrapped in 2011 [41]
Anatoliy Kolesnichenko 19,500 1985 Ro-ro/General cargo 318 8406688 Scrapped in 2012 SA-15 Super class arctic cargo ship. Sister ships: Kapitan Man, Yuriy Arshenevskiy, Vasiliy Burkhanov and Kapitan Danilkin. [42]
Kapitan Man 19,500 1985 Ro-ro/General cargo 319 8406690 Scrapped in 2012 [43]
Yuriy Arshenevskiy 19,500 1986 Ro-ro/General cargo 320 8406705 In service [44]
Birka Princess (1986–2006)
Sea Diamond (2006–2007)		 2,441 1986 Cruiseferry 321 8406731 Sank in 2007 Sank on 5 April 2007 after running aground near the Greek island of Santorini on the previous day. Two French passengers remain missing. [45]
Vasiliy Burkhanov 19,500 1986 Ro-ro/General cargo 322 8406717 Scrapped in 2013 [46]
Kapitan Danilkin 19,500 1987 Ro-ro/General cargo 323 8406729 In service [47]
Espa 8,540 1987 Barge 324 8618322 In service Last newbuilding from the Vuosaari shipyard. [48]

Notes

  1. ↑ The 380-metre (1,250 ft) dry dock of the former Vuosaari shipyard is longer than the dry docks at Perno shipyard (365 m (1,198 ft)), Helsinki New Shipyard (280 m (920 ft)), Turku Repair Yard (265 m (869 ft)) and Rauma shipyard (260 m (850 ft)).

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Luoma-aho, Jarmo: Valmet Oy, Helsingin telakka 1918-1987. 8 August 2003. Retrieved on 2012-03-08.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Valkonen, M. Vuosaaren telakka-altaan kuntotutkimus ja käyttömahdollisuudet Vuosaaren sataman yhteydessä. Diplomityö. Rakennus- ja ympäristötekniikan osasto, Teknillinen Korkeakoulu, 2005.
  3. ↑ ABB laajentaa Vuosaaressa. Tekniikka & Talous, 30 June 2005. Retrieved on 2012-03-08.
  4. ↑ History. Aker Arctic. Retrieved on 2012-03-08.
  5. ↑ Pauligin uusi kahvipaahtimo vihittiin käyttöön. Paulig, 21 January 2010. Retrieved on 2012-03-08.
  6. ↑ Vuosaaren vanha telakka-allas jatkaa uudessa tehtävässä. Kunnallis-Suomi, 5/2009.
  7. ↑ From January 1st to May 6th, 2011. Robin Des Bois, May 19th, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-06-20.
  8. ↑ From April 4th to June 26th, 2009. Robin Des Bois, July 9th, 2009. Retrieved on 2011-06-20.
  9. ↑ "Delta I (7359577)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  10. ↑ TEBOSTAR. Äänimeri. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  11. ↑ "Eliki (7359589)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  12. ↑ TORNADO (2). Äänimeri. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  13. ↑ SOLSTAD/MELTEMI (3). Äänimeri. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  14. ↑ "Eagle (7359606)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  15. ↑ MT ALTANO (2) OIQK. Äänimeri. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  16. ↑ "Glory Sea (7359618)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  17. ↑ CALDERETA (2). Äänimeri. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  18. ↑ "Alliance (7505322)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  19. ↑ "C Reliance (7505334)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  20. ↑ "Sibirskiy-2101 (8862284)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  21. ↑ "Madeleine I (7801855)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2014-05-18. (registration required (help)).
  22. ↑ "Kapitan Orlov (7801879)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  23. ↑ "Kapitan Pashnin (7801893)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  24. ↑ "Angeles B (7813327)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  25. ↑ Uusi alus M/S Pirkanmaan tukisäätiölle. Tampereen Reserviupseerit ry. Retrieved on 2011-06-22.
  26. ↑ Event Information : CFR FIN000010030. European Commission. Retrieved on 2011-06-21.
  27. ↑ From July 2nd to October 15th, 2010. Robin Des Bois, November 2nd, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-06-20.
  28. ↑ "Spector (7910656)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-20. (registration required (help)).
  29. ↑ From April 5th to July 1st, 2010. Robin Des Bois, July 21st, 2010. Retrieved on 2011-06-20.
  30. ↑ "Lister (7924176)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  31. ↑ mt. Lister. ICAP Shipping. Retrieved on 2011-11-26.
  32. ↑ "Vega Desgagnes (7927960)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  33. ↑ "Pride (8027195)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-21. (registration required (help)).
  34. ↑ "Syros II (8027200)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2014-07-04. (registration required (help)).
  35. ↑ "Captain Kurbatskiy (8013065)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-02-03. (registration required (help)).
  36. ↑ "Mahinabank (8013077)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-01-01. (registration required (help)).
  37. ↑ "Tikeibank (8013089)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-01-01. (registration required (help)).
  38. ↑ "Lewek Express (8116049)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2013-08-26. (registration required (help)).
  39. ↑ "Karadeniz Powership Zeynep Sultan (8116051)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-02-03. (registration required (help)).
  40. ↑ "Professor Barabanov (8120662)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-02-03. (registration required (help)).
  41. ↑ "Emerald Sea (8120674)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-02-03. (registration required (help)).
  42. ↑ "Anatoliy Kolesnichenko (8406688)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-02-03. (registration required (help)).
  43. ↑ "Kapitan Man (8406690)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-02-03. (registration required (help)).
  44. ↑ "Yuriy Arshenevskiy (8406705)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-02-03. (registration required (help)).
  45. ↑ "Sea Diamond (8406731)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-06-19. (registration required (help)).
  46. ↑ "Vasiliy Burkhanov (8406717)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-02-03. (registration required (help)).
  47. ↑ "Kapitan Danilkin (8406729)". Equasis. French Ministry for Transport. Retrieved 2011-02-03. (registration required (help)).
  48. ↑ BARGE ESPA. ESL Shipping Ltd. Retrieved on 2011-06-19.