In an attempt to corner the used Russian carrier market, China has now bought not only Minsk (see Naval SITREP # 20, April 2001: Minsk World?) but Kiev and Varyag as well.
Kiev is already on its way to being refitted as another amusement park. Purchased in January 2000, she was towed to Tianjin, arriving in August. She is being outfitted with a variety of attractions. If you visit www.kiev-a-c.com/english/eindex.htm you can read about the investment opportunities available.
Varyag had been a rusting hulk since her construction was halted in 1992 at 70%. Essentially a complete hull, she had not been fitted with all her propulsion, rudder or any weapons systems when work stopped. It was purchased by Agencia Turistica e Diversoes Chong Lot, a consortium of Chinese businessmen, in 1998 for just $20 million (scrap metal prices). They said they planned to spend $200 million to turn it into a floating hotel and casino in Macau. It was soon revealed that the “Chinese businessmen” were also high-ranking naval officers with close ties to the Chinese defense ministry.
For some time there was rampant speculation that Varyag was actually being purchased for use by the Chinese Navy, but it seems more likely that these Chinese officers were just making early plans for their retirement.
Their ambitious plan included fitting her with 600 rooms, a conference center, casinos, and attractions like a nightclub and a “children’s military playground.” (Ed Note: I would have enjoyed one of those when I was ten).
Complications delayed the actual sale of the vessel for over a year. The final price was $25 million (pesky sales tax!). The tug Sable Cape, contracted to tow Varyag, had to wait from May 99 to June of 2001 before she could actually begin the voyage.
According to the plan, it would take about sixty days for the hulk to be towed from the Black Sea to China via the Bosphorus and the Suez Canal, but the purchasers didn’t do their homework. After Varyag was underway, the Turkish government refused to let the hull pass through the Bosphorus, citing the 1936 Montreaux convention which forbids passage of aircraft carriers through the straits without permission. Arguments that the hulk wasn’t even close to a carrier were turned aside. Turkey had no particular axe to grind with China, and appears to have been genuinely concerned for the risks to an extremely busy waterway. The combined length of Varyag with her tugs would be over 500 meters, and without a rudder it would be about as maneuverable as a cement truck. An accident could beach her in the straits. A bad accident could take out the bridge.
For fifteen long months, Varyag, like the Flying Dutchman, made circles in the Black Sea. Ukraine would not take her back, and the Turks wouldn’t let her leave. Chong Lot ran out of money to pay ITC, the tug company, but more funds were provided by the Chinese government.
Finally, on October 6th, after extensive negotiations, the Turkish Cabinet formally agreed to allow the carrier to pass “after ensuring that technical and meteorological conditions are suitable.”
On November 2, 2001, all traffic was halted and the hulk, escorted by 27 vessels, began the passage. The flotilla included 11 tug boats (four towing), and three pilot boats. The Russian press reported that 11 pilots and 250 seamen were involved. At 5.8 knots, Varyag safely passed through the Bosphorus. But three days later, on the 5th, a storm with force 9 winds broke all the tow ropes, setting Varyag adrift in the Aegean Sea. Seven men stranded on the hulk had to be rescued by a Greek Coast Guard helicopter.
Fortunately, she remained afloat and clear of land, and after several failed attempts to reestablish a tow, she was taken in hand on the 7th, and resumed her journey.
Then it was discovered that the Suez Canal does not permit the passage of unpowered vessels. Varyag was towed to China via the Cape of Good Hope -at three knots.
Three months later, on February 20th, 2002, the hulk entered Chinese waters. She reached Dailan Shipyard, in northeastern China, on March 3rd.
Because Dalian is also a naval shipyard, speculation about her possible use as a naval unit resumed. The willingness of the Chinese government to assist Chong Lot also supported this theory.
Refitting her as a functional unit would be incredibly expensive for any nation, and doubly so for the Chinese, whose shipbuilding experience has been limited to destroyer-sized vessels. The willingness of the Chinese government to help could also be based on the close ties between Chong Lot and government. The extended towing has added $5 million to the cost, not a deal-breaker when you’ve got a $200 million refit ahead of you, but it adds up.
There is no word on the when the refit will be finished.
BT
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© Copyright 2002 by Larry Bond and Clash of Arms.
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