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Varyag, a Kuznetsov class carrier of 67,000 dwt was towed from the Aegean Sea to Dalian, China. Nikolay Chiker, one of the world's most powerful salvage tugs, handed over the tow on 3 March after waiting for fog to clear on the Chinese coast. The tug and tow travelled 15,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 6 knots, consumed 4,000 tons of fuel and called at Las Palmas, Maputo and Singapore for bunkers and supplies en route.

The contract between Tsavliris Russ and Agencia Turistica E Diversoes Chong Lot Limited of Macau dates back to last November after the Ukrainian built carrier was towed through the Straits of Bosporus and the Dardanelles with Nikolay Chiker playing the all-important 'braking and steering role' in the convoy.

At 300m in length the rudderless, engine-less, aircraft carrier was thought to represent a hazard in the Straits but this leg of the journey was completed without mishap. After Nikolay Chiker disconnected, fierce early November gales in the Aegean caused the Varyag to break loose from her towing tugs and drift dangerously close to the islands of Skros and Evia. Following this incident, the giant Tsavliris tug was rehired by Agencia Turistica to secure the vessel, to perform the Mediterranean leg of the tow and subsequently the remainder of the delivery voyage.

The hull and main structure of Varyag had been completed for a decade and became the property of Ukraine at the end of the 'Cold War' and was sold in 1998, since when she has attracted world-wide media attention. Purchasers of the carrier have announced plans to convert the giant ship into a Casino, but there has been international speculation that she maybe used as the model for the creation of a new Chinese fleet of aircraft carriers.

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