Sber and Russian Fishery Company (RFC) have signed an agreement outlining their intent to finance the construction of four refrigerator type fishing trawlers of large size, with the finance volume of USD 400 mn. The document was signed by Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Sberbank Executive Board, and Gleb Frank, Board Chair of Russian Fishery Company, during the Eastern Economic Forum.

In the framework of the agreement, Sber will act as a lender and financial partner of RFC. Fishing vessels are planned to be built in St. Petersburg. A total of 11 super trawlers, the largest and most technologically advanced Russian fishing vessels, will be built for RFC. The first vessel has already passed fishing trials. Six more vessels are at different stages of completion across Admiralty shipyards (three vessels have been launched, factories are being installed). The new agreement will give impetus to the construction of the next four vessels. After their launch, all trawlers are scheduled to go to Primorye and become an addition to the RFC fleet.

Russian Fishing Company is Sber's long-term partner with whom we are signing yet another agreement. We are happy to be investing in the company that is actively developing the fishing fleet in Russia's Far East and is among the biggest employers in the region. The all-new super trawlers have great output and effective fishery rates, but what is also important is that they meet the eco-friendliness standards that Sber supports.

Alexander Vedyakhin

First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, Sberbank

We have reached a milestone today by financing four vessels out of 11, in the construction of which Sberbank is a partner. Thus, we have the funding for the entire program of our new construction projects. New vessels are called super trawlers for a reason. They are super productive: not only can they catch 60,000 metric tons of fish a year, but they also process it efficiently. Unlike existing vessels, the new ones are capable of making products for end markets - fillets and surimi. They are super eco-friendly: the consumption of fresh water is reduced to zero, and the carbon footprint of a super trawler is the lowest among the vessels of the fishing fleet. Within 4-5 years we should receive all the remaining ships of the series.

Gleb Frank

Board Chair, Russian Fishery Company

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Sberbank of Russia published this content on 06 September 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 06 September 2021 16:01:06 UTC.