The passenger electric vessel of the new generation "Minin" of the PKS-40.2 project ("Sura 2.0"), which will be operated in the Volga and Vezloma rivers on the Nizhny Novgorod — Bor passenger crossing, was launched at the Chkalovsk Shipyard.
The largest river electric vessel in Russia is equipped with a hybrid electric plant in accordance with modern environmental requirements and guarantees up to 20 hours of continuous operation. Also, the passenger vessel will for the first time be equipped with an autonomous control system developed by the design bureau of the Gama Group.
The passenger capacity of the river electric vessel is 250 people. The "Minin" has a range of 6 hours at a speed of 12 km/h. The vessel has a fast charging function: 15 minutes is enough to charge the batteries from the shore station while passengers are boarding to compensate for the energy consumption for one trip to Bor and back, which is approximately 15–20 minutes of travel time in one direction.
The project, implemented by Nizhny Novgorod shipbuilders, demonstrates the region's readiness to introduce advanced technologies that increase the autonomy of ships and reduce the overall burden on the environment. I consider this a concrete contribution to the development of a comfortable transport system in the region, as well as to strengthening the position of Nizhny Novgorod as the capital of passenger shipbuilding.
"Minin" is the first vessel in the series. The second vessel of the project, named "Pozharsky", was also laid down at the enterprise.
