Vympel Shipyard Starts Building Kometa 120M

Russian Vympel Shipyard laid the keel of seagoing passenger-carrying vessel “Kometa 120M”(Comet 120M class), being constructed under the Project 23160, at a ceremony held on August 23, the press center of the Russian Federation’s Transport Ministry informed.

With the overall length of 35.2 meters and a displacement of 73 tons, the lead high-speed passenger-carrying hydrofoil could usher a new age in the Russian passenger and freight transport.

What is more, the ceremony is a great milestone for the Russian shipbuilding industry, being a completely new project introduced by Russians after a 20 year-long pause in construction of hydrofoils.

Designed by the Central Bureau of Hydrofoil Design, Kometa 120M was created based on its predecessors Kometa, Kolhida and Katran. However, what distinguishes this vessel from its precursors is the high level of passenger comfort with automatic system of stabilization.

The vessel, sailing at a maximum speed of 35 knots, features advanced control/navigation/communication systems and lower fuel consumption enabled by MTU’s electronic fuel injection engines.

Additional characteristics:

• Power plant output, kW 2 х 820
• Fuel consumption, kg/hour 320
• Range at total displacement, miles 200
• Endurance, hour

[mappress]
Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, August 26, 2013