Rosatom Vetrolopasti plant in Ulyanovsk plans to produce boats, lifeboats and Arctic vessels

Ulyanovsk plant "Rosatom Vetrolopasti" can expand production and engage in the construction of ships made of composite materials. The company has already manufactured and tested two sailing catamarans. The next step may be the serial production of lifeboats, service boats and vessels for the Arctic.

Prospects of the new direction were discussed by Governor Alexei Russian and head of the Composite Division of Rosatom Alexander Dmitrikov. At the meeting, the possibility of creating a special purpose small-tonnage composite shipbuilding center in the region was considered.

The future product line may include lifeboats with a capacity of up to 65 people, duty models for six and eight seats, traveling boats and auxiliary vessels for ports. For their manufacture, it is expected to use a single composite platform.

The company already has practical experience. In 2026, two sports and tourist catamarans with a length of nine and a width of five meters were successfully tested here. Each is designed for 12 people and is able to develop under sail speeds up to 20 knots.

According to Alexander Dmitrikov, the demand for small-tonnage vessels exists, but orders are still scattered. The transition to mass production will make the cost of construction and maintenance more predictable.

The plant opened in December 2024 at the former site of the Danish company Vestas. Now it produces wind blades with a length of 51 meters and a weight of 8.5 tons for plants with a capacity of 2.5 MW. The production capacity is 400 products per year, and the level of localization exceeds 95%. Products are also supplied to the Novolak Wind Park in Dagestan.

Alexey Russkikh noted that the development of shipbuilding can strengthen the industrial and export potential of the region. The initiative was presented at the federal level in June 2026. Now it is necessary to work out the mechanism of formation of serial orders.