50 Let Pobedy icebreaker

The 2007-built NS 50 Let Pobedy ("ледокол 50 Лет Победы," translated as "50 Years of Victory") is a nuclear-powered icebreaker owned by the Russian Federation. It was the largest nuclear-powered icebreaking vessel in the world until it was surpassed by the NS Arktika (2020-built/LK-60Ya-class). "NS" stands for "nuclear ship."

The vessel (IMO number 9152959) is Russian-flagged (MMSI 273316240) and registered in Murmansk.

The sistership Sovetskiy Soyuz (1990) was decommissioned in 2014.

Other Russian icebreaking cruise ships include Akademik Ioffe, Akademik Sergey Vavilov, Kapitan Dranitsyn, and Kapitan Khlebnikov.

In addition to 50 Let Pobedy, the list of other Russian nuclear icebreaker ships includes Taymyr (1989), Vaygach (1990), Yamal (1992), Arktika (2020), Sibir (2021), Ural (2022), Yakutia (2024), Chukotka (2026), Rossiya (2027/Project Leader), Stalingrad (2028), Leningrad (2030), and Sevmorput (1988/Cargo ship).

The project was launched on October 4, 1989, at Baltic Works, Leningrad, USSR (now Sankt-Petersburg). Initially, the vessel was named NS Ural. In 1994, work was halted due to a lack of funds, leaving the icebreaker abandoned by the 50th anniversary of Victory Day in 1995. However, construction resumed in 2003.

On November 30, 2004, a fire broke out aboard the ship, and all workers had to be evacuated. The fire crews battled the fire for about 20 hours before bringing it under control, with one worker requiring hospitalization.

By early 2007, the 50 Let Pobedy icebreaker was finally completed after the 60th Anniversary. On February 1, 2007, the vessel sailed into the Gulf of Finland for two weeks of sea trials. Upon completing the trials, the 50 Let Pobedy returned to the Saint Petersburg Baltic shipyard and began preparations for her maiden cruise to Murmansk. The new build demonstrated superior icebreaker characteristics, such as a top speed of 21.4 knots (40 km/h; 25 mph) and exceptional maneuverability. On April 11, 2007, 50 Let Pobedy arrived at her homeport, Murmansk.

The 50 Let Pobedy icebreaker is an upgraded version of the Arktika-class. The vessel, which is 524 feet long and 98 feet wide with a displacement of 25,840 metric tons, is designed to break through ice up to 5 meters (16.4 feet) thick.

The 50th Anniversary of Victory project was experimental, marking the first time in Russian icebreakers' history that a spoon-shaped bow was featured. The designers predicted that such a shape would enhance the vessel's efficiency in breaking ice. The 50 Let Pobedy icebreaker is equipped with a new digital automated control system. Her biological shielding complex was modernized and re-certified by the State Commission. Additionally, a brand-new ecological compartment was created.

The ship boasts an exercise/athletic facility, restaurant, library, swimming pool, massage facility, and music salon for the crew's use.

Itineraries

Since 1989, Russian nuclear-powered icebreakers have been used for cruise tourism, carrying wealthy travelers to the North Pole. The fares can reach up to USD 35,000 per person for a 3-week cruise. The 50 Years of Victory ship has a dedicated deck for passenger accommodations, specifically customized for tourists.

In 2008, Quark Expeditions chartered the vessel for expeditions to the North Pole. The maiden voyage of the 50 Let Pobedy icebreaker to the North Pole embarked on June 24, 2008, from Murmansk. The ship carried 128 passengers in 64 cabins across 5 categories. In 2008, the vessel completed three expeditions to the North Pole for the polar adventure company.

Besides Quark Expeditions, the ship is also regularly chartered by the travel companies Noble Caledonia (UK) and Poseidon Expeditions (Russia). Since 2001, Poseidon Expeditions has specialized in polar cruises to European Arctic destinations, including the North Pole and Russian Arctic territories. The company charters exclusively Russian icebreakers, as well as ice-strengthened cruise ships.

• A group of eclipse chasers used the icebreaker to observe the August 1, 2008 eclipse. On July 21, 2008, they departed from Murmansk and reached the North Pole four days later, setting a speed record for the ship.
• As of February 2013, the company was listing 50 Years of Victory in its fleet and offering it for North Pole cruises, along with Poseidon Expeditions. The icebreaker reached the North Pole on July 30, 2013, for the 100th time in icebreaker navigation history.
• In October 2013, in the lead-up to the "2014 Winter Olympics" (February 7-23, held in Sochi, Russia), the nuclear ship carried the Olympic Flame to the North Pole.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021, the ship was chartered by Poseidon Expeditions for two North Pole voyages. Departing July 10-22, and July 21-August 2, both polar cruises were open for booking by Russian residents only. The 13-day "Top of the World" itinerary included scenic coastal navigation and exploration of the Franz Josef Land Archipelago (192 islands with abundant wildlife and stunning scenery). For the voyages, Poseidon hired 14 expedition staff, including polar experts, historians, marine biologists, geologists, and glaciologists.

In July 2021, Poseidon Expeditions scheduled three icebreaker cruises for 2022 (departures July 10-22, July 21-August 1, and August 1-13). Prices start at USD 30,395 (EUR 25,620/GBP 21,985) per person with double occupancy and an Early Booking discount (for bookings made by October 31, 2021). Poseidon's fares include a pre-cruise hotel (in Murmansk, Russia), all transfers, helicopter rides, land tours/excursions, onboard entertainment and lectures, and parkas.

NS 50 Let Pobedy Vessel Details

NS 50 Let Pobedy belongs to the Arktika-class nuclear ships, which were, until 2017, the world's largest and most powerful ever constructed. The ship is one of six vessels in this class, alongside Sibir (1977-1992), Arktika (1975-2008), Rossiya (1985-2013), Sovetskiy Soyuz (1990), and Yamal (1992).

The vessel has one dining room, sauna, library, auditorium, passenger lounge, volleyball court, gymnasium, one heated indoor swimming pool, infirmary, one elevator, and one helipad (helicopter deck) with a Mi-2 transport helicopter.

• DWT Deadweight Tonnage: 3,505 tons
• Displacement Tonnage: 25,840 tons
• Max Draft: 11 m (35 ft)
• Icebreaking Capacity: 5 m (16.4 ft)
• Ice Class: LL1
• Range: Unlimited (4 years endurance)
• Powerplant: 2x OK-900A nuclear reactors (each 171 MW, or combined 342 MW power output)
• Propulsion: Turbo-electric, 3 shafts, 3 electric motors (17.6 MW output each, or 52.8 MW combined power output)

Note: In cases of poor AIS coverage, tracking the vessel's current location may be impossible. You can view CruiseMapper's list of all icebreakers and ice-breaking research ships in the "itinerary" section of our Icebreakers hub. All states and their fleets are listed there.