Arktika was the second of the Russian icebreakers to be built, after the Lenin, which is now retired. This was the first of five vesselsin the "Arktika class". The others are Rossija, Sibir, Sovetskiy Soyuz, and Yamal.Arktika was built in 1974 and launched in 1975, and two years later became the first surface vessel to reach the north pole. information and photos from the
Murmansk Shipping Co. web site. Additional information from the web site of the Scott Polar Research Institute |
| Vessel Ownership | ||||
| Vessel name: | Arktika | |||
| Vessel nationality: | Russia | |||
| Vessel owner: | Russian Federal Government | |||
| Vessel operator: | Murmansk Shipping Co. | |||
| Vessel web page: | http://www.msco.ru |  | ||
| Vessel Activities and Operating Areas | ||||
| Vessel's main activity: | Polar icebreaking in support of shipping and research vessels. | |||
| Vessel operating areas: | All arctic seas, including heavy icebreaking | |||
| Primary Logistics Provider | ||||
| Organization: | Murmansk Shipping Co. | |||
| Address: | Murmansk Shipping Company 15, Kominterna str. RU-183836 Murmansk Russia | |||
| Telephone: | + 7 8152 52 50 68 | |||
| Fax: | + 7 8152 454 356 | |||
| Vessel Characteristics | ||||
| Height (topmast to water) in meters: | 55 | |||
| Height (topmast to water) in feet: | 180 | |||
| Vessel type: | Polar Icebreaker | |||
| Vessel length in meters: | 148 | |||
| Vessel length in feet: | 486 | |||
| Beam (Breadth) in meters: | 30 | |||
| Beam in feet: | 98 | |||
| Draft in meters: | 11 | |||
| Draft in feet: | 36 | |||
| Displacement GRT: | 23000 | |||
| Year built: | 1975 | |||
| Vessel Performance and Capabilities | ||||
| Cruising speed (knots, open water): | 20.6 | |||
| Endurance (days): | 225 | |||
| Icebreaking capability: | Arktika has a steel hull 48 mm ( about 1.8 inches) thick and can break ice 2 to 3 meters thick continuously at 3 knots. | |||
| Propulsion power: | 54 MW, 75,000 HP | |||
| Accommodations | ||||
| Scientist berths: | 100 | |||
| Crew berths: | 150 | |||
| Infrastructure | ||||
| Electricity specifications: | The electrical supply on board is 220 volts, 50 hertz. The electrical outlet sockets are the standard European two round pin system. | |||
| Current Projects and Research History | ||||
| Past Projects: |  In September of 2004, Arktika assisted the research icebreaker Akademik Fedorov as it was used to transport all the materials and personnel to establish Polar Drifting Station NP-33 (also called SP-33) at approximately 85°N, 160°E. The station is the 33rd in a series of research camps on ice flows operated by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Insitute, Russia (AARI). For information, see the AARI website. | |||