In the Odesa region, officials were unable to sell a barge for 15 million that had been protecting the port from Russian drones

The barge "Alpina," damaged by a Russian strike, was put up for auction at 15 million, but the auction fell through

This was reported by Intent,citing the"Prozorro.Sales" system.

The non-self-propelled barge “Alpina” is owned by Kranship LLC. The auction was scheduled for July 29, but it was canceled due to a lack of bidders.

The barge is moored at the first berth of the “Bugaz” port facility at the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Sea Trade Port. Before the start of the full-scale war, it was used to transport grain cargo.

Following the Russian Federation’s invasion, the vessel was reassigned. Currently, the “Alpina” is being used as a defensive structure to block the passage of enemy surface drones and hinder the movement of small enemy vessels. As a result, access to the barge is restricted, and its future owner must independently resolve the issue of removing the vessel from the “Bugaz” port facility.

<picture></picture>The non-self-propelled barge “Alpina,” damaged by a Russian strike. PHOTO: Prozorro.Sales

The documentation also notes that the barge has been out of service since February 24, 2022. It sustained significant damage during one of the Russian missile strikes.

The hull has large holes above the waterline, damaged cargo hatch covers, a deformed stern, and the metal structures show significant signs of corrosion.

In addition, the vessel’s registration documents expired in August 2024.

The “Alpina” was built in Italy in 1984. The barge has three cargo holds, is nearly 98 meters long, and has a gross tonnage of 5,782 metric tons.

The sale took place as part of the bankruptcy proceedings of Kranship LLC. According to YouControl, the company was registered in 2003 and is currently in the process of being dissolved.

“Kranship” LLC is well known in Odesa for having carried out the operation in August 2020 to salvage the tanker Delfi, which had sunk off the city’s coast.

The company’s founders are Kranship LLC, with a 59.1% stake, and its subsidiary Transship Balk, with a 40.9% stake. Mykhailo Tikhonov is listed as the ultimate beneficial owner in the state registry.

Ірина Глухова