"Contracts for construction of two multifunctional vessels of supply ice class were signed in September 2015. Today, we have signed contracts for two similar vessels and thus move on to the mass construction," he said.

BOLSHOI KAMEN, September 1. /TASS/. Mass construction of multifunctional vessels begins at the shipyard Zvezda after the signing of new contracts, Rosneft Director of technique and technology localization department in Vice President rank Konstantin Laptev told TASS on Thursday.

President Vladimir Putin said ealier at the shipbuilding development meeting held on Zvezda Shipyard site that development of civilian shipbuilding and commissioning of new production facilities is one of strategic tasks in strengthening the industrial potential of the Russian Far East. "I request to continue paying the closest attention to it," Putin added.

"Development of Zvezda facilities is significant for the whole national shipbuilding sector," the president said. The new yard will produce modern medium and high-capacity vessels of various types enjoying strong demand now, he added.

The shipyard construction project is challenging and capital-intensive, the head of state said. "It is highly important to elaborate all aspects of the business plan, including capacity utilization," Putin said. "Leading oil and companies and major businesses are interested in cooperation with Zvezda," he added.

Zvezda shipyard is under construction in the town of Bolshoy Kamen in Russia’s Primorsky region since 2009. The project was initially launched by Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) and South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. (DSME).