Russia-based tanker owner and operator Baltic Fleet Tanker (BF Tanker) has inked contracts for the construction of seven tankers of the 'river-sea type' with the domestic shipyards Oka Shipyard and Red Sormovo, and the PJSC State Transport Leasing Company.

Under the terms of the shipbuilding contracts, all the seven tankers (project RST-RST-54 and 27) are to be delivered to BF Tanker during the 2016 river navigation season.

With the commissioning of these new ships, BF Tanker plans to transport at least 1 million tons of oil products during 2016.

"BF Tanker has consistently implemented its commitments to OAO "LUKOIL", for the transportation of oil products using a new, safe and efficient fleet, this is our priority. Despite the current difficulties faced by the Russian financial sector, one of the largest Russian leasing companies agreed to support this important ship construction order. According to our information, this is the largest order placed this year at Russian shipyards" said Sergey Chaplgyin, BF Tanker's chairman of the board.