Page 29 - Журнал Sozvezdye Review - «СОЗВЕЗДИЕ» #38

ing zone. Last summer, social networks posted hun-
dreds of the photos of the river views against the
background of the facade bearing the proud name,
Arkhangelsk.
“Arkhangelsk Passenger Terminal is our pride and
pain. Its construction was not without challenges.
There were lots of issues to be negotiated concerning
its location and we were obliged to do archaeological
excavations because the site had its boundaries within
the protected archaeological monument “Makarovsky
Baths”. Then, the construction process had to be put
on hold again due to the coronavirus restrictions and
interruptions in the supply of building materials. But,
we are now entering the home stretch and will soon
see the day when this socially project significant proj-
ect will open its doors to the people of Arkhangelsk
and Primorsky District,” says Andrey Razgovorov.
In the meantime, as ARP is steadily moving to-
wards the finish line, it is actively preparing its pas-
senger fleet – ships of ‘Moscow’ design – for the up-
coming navigation season. Although ‘Moscow’ design
ships are no longer in production, they are ideal
choice for operating on the Northern Dvina River.
For this reason, ARP is purchasing them from oth-
er regions for further renovation. Installed with new
mechanisms and renovated cabins, these ships receive
new life. Two of them, Aquamarine
and Sapphire, are favorites among
the residents. With warm, cozy
passenger cabs and glazed upper В историческом месте, где на
decks with panoramic view, they протяжении ста лет сходятся
are ideal for passenger transpor- главные речные маршруты,
tation and leisure cruises. A third
ship in this family is currently un- предприятие достраивает
der renovation. пассажирский вокзал.
“We have our heart in our
work and fleet. And we are think- Пристань Архангельска
ing long-term, paying great atten- преображается
tion to our personnel policy. For
the last few years, we’ve been pro- In the historical place of
viding training for our employees Arkhangelsk – the meeting point
using our own resources. There
have been some changes in the vo- of the two major waterways – ARP
cational education sector, but the is completing the construction of a
need in highly qualified personnel,
especially in our industry, remains passenger terminal building. The
high. Many of the fresh graduates pier and embankment are taking
we are approached by are motivat- a new shape
ed to join our company but they
are trained to be navigators, not
navigators with the knowledge of
In the historical place of Arkhangelsk – the meeting engineering and related skills, as we require. There-
point of the two major waterways – ARP is complet- fore, we first offer them internships, and once they
ing the construction of a passenger terminal building. are hired they undergo on-the-job training. Expenses
The pier and embankment are taking a new shape and are at our cost. This is a good start for those willing
will soon appear as organically embedded into the to build careers in the river transport, enabling stu-
style of the surrounding neighborhoods – the cen- dents to be trained for several jobs parallel to their
tral business district and the residential area. This two-year vocational training and thus become bet-
social facility is built with ARP’s own money. ARP ter candidates for the job. This scheme is now be-
is building this social object with its own funds. The ing followed also by Kotlas School of Inland Naviga-
investment costs exceed RUB 120 million. This year, tion, whose earlier system for navigator students was
the works entered their final stage and concentrate slightly different from that in Arkhangelsk. But now
inside the building – on the waiting hall and admin- they are absolutely on the right track, as is evidenced
istrative offices. by the growing demand for its graduates. Their stu-
The relevance of this passenger terminal is diffi- dents are either hired or reserved for inland ship-
cult to overestimate. Every navigation season, motor ping enterprises in Central Russia even before the
ships transport more than 800,000 passengers. Pas- graduation. SOZVEZDYE #38
senger traffic stood at nearly one million in pre-CO- As we heard from Andrey Razgovorov, being
VID years, contributed by tourists travelling to space a competitor to the country’s largest businesses is
museum on Voznesenie Island, tent-shaped churches a huge responsibility. But Arkhangelsk River Port
in Konetsdvorye, and the pilots’ village in Pustosh. boasts a number of advantages, the most precious перспективы
The terminal will definitely be in demand, being a being its team – the people who are highly knowl- outlook
solution to Arkhangelsk pier’s infrastructure tasks: edgeable of the operational nuances in the Arctic and
There will be jobs for the port workers and a spa- who are able to make balanced decisions in its harsh
cious, beautifully arranged waiting hall with ticket conditions. The acquired expertise attracts new part-
offices, toilets, cafe and mother and child room for ners, increasing the portfolio of orders and non-core
passengers’ convenience. To city residents and guests, activities – an encouraging result that leads to start
the area around the terminal will serve as cozy walk- new projects. 27