The Sayan Polaris multipurpose icebreaker will further enhance safety and reliability in operations on the Prirazlomnoye project in the Barents Sea

The Sayan Polaris, built in 2018, is owned by Sevnor Management AS and has been leased to Gazprom Neft Shelf. It will be used as a supply vessel, a floating hotel and, when necessary, will undertake emergency response and rescue operations.

The vessel has been modernised by specialists at JSC Marine Arctic Geological Exploration (MAGE) to operate under the challenging environmental and climatic conditions of the Prirazlomnoye project, with icebreaking capacity having been enhanced, passenger capacity increased, and a special crane and emergency oil-spill-response (OSR) equipment installed. Its reinforced hull means it is able to operate in northern waters, even under record low temperatures, while its innovative propulsion system and cutting-edge dynamic positioning system, able to hold the vessel at any point, without anchoring or mooring, will improve safety, reduce operational costs and minimise environmental impacts.

Multipurpose icebreaking vessels deliver freight from supply bases in Murmansk to the rig, ensure technological and environmental operational safety and, where necessary, secure shuttle tankers during cargo handling. Forming part of the project’s support group, the vessels are “double-acting”, meaning they can move both forwards and backwards in ice — with the result that they have greater manoeuvrability in icebound conditions.

The Sayan Polaris can accommodate up to 100 people onboard. A range of functional facilities have been built into the ship — including a conference hall, two mess rooms, an infirmary, a recreation room and a gym — to provide comfortable long-term accommodation for specialists involved in work on the Prirazlomnaya platform.