Just 3 of 27 units remain still in service in October 2017. Ivan Ryabov, Kareem R (Ex Pioner Kazakhstana) and AMR R (Ex Pioner Yakutii). Even if Ivan Ryabov is built with strong and hardy steel, her maintenance tells us that the end is coming soon. So sad!
Thank you Eugene to send us photos of this old and nice lady!

;-) Coming up at 38 years of age too for this hardy little ship. I thought everything was built to carry tanks !! hahaha

Indeed, MattyBoy. "Heavily over-engineered" the western yards said. Far too much steel - "built to carry tanks" (said with a knowing look)

A proper vessel. Built in the 70's when ships were ships, built with strong, hardy steel by equally hardy, sweat-soaked shipbuilders. You can't beat it !! Gone are the days.