The shipbuilding complex Zvezda in the Russian Far East has started building two multifunctional research vessels with an unlimited sailing area. The RF Government defined the yard as the sole contractor under the government contract in 2020.
The two vessels are being built under the National project Science. They are designed to conduct fundamental and applied research in the World Ocean including hydrometeorological measurement, magnetic, gravitation, electric and thermal fields measurement, biologic and environmental research, geologic and hydrographic bottom survey, taking and analyzing rock samples, and marine environment monitoring. The on-board laboratories will be equipped to process data in a real-time mode.
The vessels will have an Arc4 ice class notation, which means they will be capable of navigating in one-year ice up to 0.6 m thick in winter and spring and up to 0.4 m thick in summer and autumn.
The vessels will measure 122.5 m LOA and have a displacement of 8,130 tons. They will have a voyage duration of 50 days sailing a 7,500 miles distance. The vessels are to be equipped with helipads.