OREANDA-NEWS. December 28, 2012. 21 December, 2012, saw the launch of the lead ship in a new series of multifunctional icebreaking supply vessels ordered by Sovcomflot Group (SCF) from Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy (a joint venture of ОАО United Shipbuilding Corporation and STX Finland) in the Finnish capital.


 The construction of multifunctional supply vessels is an example of successful international cooperation. The Vitus Bering series was ordered following an agreement signed in December 2010 after Sovcomflot won a tender with Exxon Neftegas Limited (operator of the Sakhalin-I project). According to the agreement, Sovcomflot is to provide two new supply vessels on a long-term charter to the company-operator of the project for the year-round servicing of the Arkutun-Dagi platform.

 The construction of the Vitus Bering series is a joint project involving both Russian and Finnish shipbuilders. Around 90% (by weight) of the structural components for the vessels were produced in Russia at Vyborg Shipyard (part of ОАО OSK). Final hardware installation will be carried out by OAO OSK in Saint-Petersburg and will include navigation systems from Russian manufacturer Transas, as well as a Glonass satellite navigation system.

 The acquisition of vessels of this class by Russian shipping companies and the participation of domestic enterprises in their construction contributes to the development of Russia’s maritime and shipbuilding industries. Both vessels will be registered in Russia, will sail under the flag of the Russian Federation and will be manned by Russian crews. Future plans include the continued construction of a series of multifunctional icebreaking supply vessels at OAO OSK enterprises for work on the Sakhalin-II project (operated by Sakhalin Energy).

 Today, the vessels in the Vitus Bering series are some of the best of their class in the world. They are the most energy efficient in terms of their diesel consumption and propulsion system. The hulls of these vessels have been specially designed for stern-first navigation in icy conditions and are equipped with a dynamic positioning system which helps them maintain a stable position beside platforms and in thick ice. Their winterisation system ensures they can operate safely in ice of up to 1.7m thick. Therefore, the structure of these vessels and the hardware installed aboard them make it possible to supply all necessary equipment and consumables to personnel on oil platforms on a year-round basis.

 The icebreaking supply vessels in the Vitus Bering series were designed in accordance with all the rules, standards and requirements of international conventions and the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. This means they are able to ensure ecological safety in the waters of the Far Eastern seas which is especially important in light of tightening regulations on environmental protection.

 According to maritime tradition, the lead ship in the series was given the name of a distinguished figure – Russian explorer of the Far Eastern seas, Captain-Commodore Vitus Bering (Danish descent).

Technical characteristics of the vessels:

 Deadweight – 3,950 tonnes
 Maximum length – 99.2m
 Beam size – 21.7m
 Maximum depth – 7.9m
 Crew members – 22

 “Today’s event – the launch of this first jointly built state-of-the-art vessel – is an example of successful, mutually beneficial Russo-Finnish cooperation in the sphere of specialised high-tech fleet construction. We are very pleased by this collaboration and would like to thank our partner Exxon Neftegaz for the opportunity to participate in this project. Our cooperation has great prospects for the future and will certainly continue. Building ships like Vitus Bering is fully in line with Sovcomflot plans to expand its participation in offshore energy projects. Vessels of this kind are a fine example of how the latest technologies can be used in the shipping industry and they are in most demand from Russian and international oil and gas companies operating on the continental shelf.” – Evgeniy Ambrosov, Senior Executive Vice-President, OAO Sovcomflot.