The barge will be a 24 meters long and 5,5 meters wide propelled cargo boat, and is due to be delivered in July 2009, Zvezdochka reports on its website.
The mines in Barentsburg have been struck by a number of accidents in the recent years. In April 2008, three workers died in a fire in the mines. The production halted and will probably not be resumed before mid-2009.
The barge will be build at the Solombala branch of Zvezdochka. This yard has been used for repairs of navy vessels and has not produced any new ships in more than 200 years, Zvezdochka reports.
