Russian PSV Icebreaker Named, Yards to Build More

President Vladimir Putin names icebreaking platform supply vessel 'Vitus Bering' & Russian shipbuilders sign newbuild contracts.

Modern multipurpose vessels of the Vitus Bering series will conduct year-round deliveries of personnel, goods and expendable supplies to oil production platforms. In particular, it is planned to use this type of icebreaker to ensure the smooth operation of Sakhalin-1 oil platforms in the Arkutun-Dagi field in the Sea of Okhotsk.

The lead ship of the series was named after Vitus Bering, an explorer and officer in the Russian Navy.

The President witnessed the signing of a master cooperation agreement between Sovkomflot and United Shipbuilding Corporation to build supply vessels of this class and an agreement between Gazprom and Novatek to create a joint venture to produce LNG on the Yamal Peninsula.

President Putin said: " This is one of the most advanced ships in the world. Today Russia has the world’s largest nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet and we will continue our efforts to develop the full range of special vessels, including those working in such harsh conditions as the ones this ship will operate in.

I want to reiterate that this is one of the most advanced ships in the world, capable of operating in the ice up to 1.7 metres thick. It was built by Russian shipbuilders jointly with Finnish partners, and I want to express my gratitude to our Finnish colleagues."