Akademik Fyodorov icebreaker

The 1987-built RV Akademik Fyodorov ("ледокол Академик Фёдоров") is an icebreaking research vessel (RV) owned and operated by AARI ("Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute" / "Арктический и антарктический научно-исследовательский институт", abbreviated as "ААНИИ"). AARI, based in Saint Petersburg, is the oldest and largest research institute in the Russian Federation focused on comprehensive Arctic and Antarctic studies. AARI also operates the Akademik Tryoshnikov, built in 2012.

The vessel (IMO number 8519837) is flagged in Russia (MMSI 273412710) and registered in Sankt-Petersburg.

Akademik Fyodorov was built by Rauma Shipyard in Finland. The vessel was completed on September 8, 1987, and departed on her maiden voyage from St Petersburg on October 24th.

Akademik Fyodorov is a diesel-electric icebreaking research vessel. Prior to the inauguration of Akademik Tryoshnikov in 2012, she served as the flagship of the Russian scientific polar research fleet. Built for the USSR (Soviet Union), she began operations on October 24, 1987. The vessel is named after polar explorer Yevgeny Konstantinovich Fyodorov (Евгений Константинович Фёдоров, 1910-1981), who worked on North Pole-1 Station (Северный полюс-1), the first Russian drifting ice research station, during 1937-1938.

On August 1, 2007, RV Akademik Fyodorov departed St Petersburg en route to the North Pole as part of Russia's efforts to assert claims over the seabed beneath the pole. The vessel carried 100 personnel (researchers and scientists) and was equipped with two deep-sea mini-submarines. Scientists descended to depths over 4000 m (13,200 ft) and deposited a titanium capsule containing a Russian flag—a symbolic gesture reminiscent of the USA planting its flag on the Moon. However, this action did not establish any legal rights for Russia to extract gas or oil from the seabed. The mission aimed to provide evidence that the 2000 km (1240 mi) Lomonosov Ridge is a geologic extension of Russia, thereby supporting its territorial claim under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Canadian and Danish governments are also expected to conduct scientific studies to demonstrate that the Lomonosov Ridge does not belong to Russian territory.

The Akademik Fyodorov itinerary includes scientific and cruise expeditions to both the North Pole (from homeport St Petersburg) and Antarctica (departing from Cape Town, South Africa).

Akademik Fyodorov vessel details

The vessel (Rauma shipyard/hull number 300) is powered by four Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 16V32D, each producing 6.5 MW), with a total power output of 26 MW. Onboard facilities include a Messhall (dining room/bar lounge), Sauna Room, aft Helideck (1 helipad with a helicopter), forward Working Deck (equipped with three heavy cranes—two large and one at the bow), forward Cargo Hold (indoor storage for bulk cargoes and motorized vehicles), A-Frame (aft), and four lifeboats.

• Max Draft: 8.5 m / 28 ft
• Displacement tonnage: 16,200 tons
• Fuel tanks capacity: 3,850

The Akademik Fyodorov Canyon in the Weddell Sea is named after the ship. The name was proposed in 1997 by the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Bremerhaven, which was founded in 1980 and specializes in polar and marine research. AWI is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres.

Note: If AIS coverage is poor, tracking the vessel's current location may be impossible. You can find CruiseMapper's list of all icebreakers and icebreaking research vessels in the "itinerary" section of our Icebreakers hub. All nations and their fleets are listed there.