One of Russia’s largest crab fishing companies, Russian Crab has seen the launch of the latest addition to its fleet, the sixth of ten vessels ordered from several Russian shipyards to replace the company’s elderly tonnage.
Kapitan Firsov was launched by the Onega Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Plant, and is a 57.70-metre, 12.60-metre breadth vivier crabber designed to carry up to 120 tonnes of live crab in its 440 cubic metre tanks.
Alongside the launch of crabber processor Kapitan Skovpen, Russian Crab has also contracted the Okskaya Shipyard to build six more vivier crabbers to a similar design.
‘The Okskaya Shipyard has accumulated significant experience in the construction of crab fishing vessels, including in view of sanction restrictions on the supply of equipment and services. This allows us to make new commitments with confidence – both in terms of time and quality,’ said the yard’s Svetlana Vikulova.
There has been a change in management at Russian Crab with the appointment of Yulia Yurova as Director General of the Russian Crab Group of Companies, on the retirement of Alexander Sapozhnikov, who has headed the company since 2020.
Just weeks into his retirement from the helm of Russian Crab, Alexander Sapozhnikov died earlier this month.
‘At the age of 66, he took over the management of a small company and in just five years ensured it a leading position in the industry – today the Russian Crab Group brand is widely known and is a symbol of quality and success in the international market,’ according to a statement from the company.
‘Alexander Anatolyevich created a strong management team. Under his leadership, the fleet was increased, the construction and operation of modern crab catchers began, and new markets were opened. The Board of Directors much appreciates the results Alexander Anatolyevich has achieved, which is particularly important in the current challenging economic environment,’ commented board chairman Evgeny Orlov.
‘Yulia Yurova has proved herself as effective and ambitious senir manager, and has successfully built a key commercial function for the company by significantly increasing product sales despite the US trade embargo. Yulia Borisovna will continue to implement the business strategy approved by the Board of Directors with a focus on sales markets development and new fleet construction,’ Evgeny Orlov said.
