The tanker "Volgoneft-111" was spotted in Rostov-on-Don with a complex of improvised drone protection measures. In photos published on October 4, the vessel is almost entirely covered with net structures, and electronic warfare equipment and firing points are also visible on board. The photos were published by a source associated with shipping observation in Rostov-on-Don.
The protection is especially noticeable around the superstructure and cargo deck: the structure creates an additional physical barrier between the hull and a possible low-flying drone. Car tires and nets are visible in some areas.
According to ship registries, "Volgoneft-111" is a Project 550A tanker, construction number 46. The vessel was built in 1973 at the Ivan Dimitrov shipyard in Ruse, Bulgaria. Its length is 132.6 m, width is 16.9 m, board height is 5.5 m, and deadweight is about 4190 tons. The vessel is equipped with two 8NVD 48A-U diesel engines, each with a power of 736 kW, each driving a separate propeller.
Project 550A "Volgoneft" was created as a river tanker for transporting petroleum products. The vessel has a single-deck design, double bottom and double sides, eight cargo tanks, and an aft engine room arrangement.
The appearance of additional protection on such a vessel shows how counter-drone measures are gradually extending beyond purpose-built warships. In this case, it concerns a commercial tanker, whose design was created decades ago and is now supplemented with EW equipment, firing positions, and physical barriers.
What exactly is included in the installed EW complex and what weapon systems are on board is not disclosed in the available materials.