JSC "ADMIRALTY SHIPYARDS" STARTED METAL CUTTING FOR SRV "IVAN FROLOV"

JSC "Admiralty Shipyards" started metal cutting for the unique scientific research vessel "Ivan Frolov".

The solemn ceremony, marking the beginning of the preparatory stage of construction of new SRV, was participated by Igor Shumakov, Head of the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet), Andrey Bystrov, Acting General Director of JSC "Admiralty Shipyards", Alexander Makarov, Director of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.

Igor Shumakov noted that today’s event marks the birth of a new scientific research vessel for Roshydromet.

"We are very proud that in the near future we will have a vessel that has no analogues in the world. With 165 meters in length, 25 thousand tons of displacement, ability to take on board 2.5 thousand tons of general cargo. The SRV is at the same time an icebreaker, a tanker, a dry cargo carrier, and a passenger ship. The vessel takes onboard 240 people, 70 of whom are crew members and 170 are Arctic and Antarctic explorers. SRV "Ivan Frolov" will serve the Russian Antarctic Expedition, which is located at the south pole of our planet year-round – we have five seasonal bases and five year-round stations. We have no doubt that the contract signed this year will be fulfilled on time, since JSC "Admiralty Shipyards" is already practically the exclusive supplier for Roshydromet. Over the past 10 years, this is the third scientific research vessel built by JSC "Admiralty Shipyards" for our Federal Service" said the Head of Roshydromet.

Andrey Bystrov, Acting General Director of JSC "Admiralty Shipyards” reminded the audience of the great contribution of Alexander Buzakov, former General Director of JSC "Admiralty Shipyards", who passed away a year ago, to the development of SRV "Ivan Frolov” project. He emphasized that the Shipyards have experience in construction of such vessels: "In 2012 the Shipyards handed over high-tech scientific research vessel "Akademik Treshnikov" to the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring. And five years ago, on December 20, the Admiralty Shipyards began cutting metal for the unique scientific research vessel – ice-resistant self-propelled platform "North Pole", which today successfully operates in the Arctic. Therefore, I am absolutely confident in the successful implementation of the new project". Alexander Makarov told about the birth of the new SRV project.

"Five years ago, in this workshop, we began cutting metal for ice-resistant self-propelled platform "North Pole" together with my teacher Ivan Frolov, who had been headed the AARI for many years, and my colleague and friend Alexander Buzakov. We have been planning the project of this new SRV for a long time, and today it is being implemented. The new flagship of the Russian polar science will allow to solve the most complicated expedition and scientific tasks. Polar explorers have high hopes for this ship. We are grateful to the Admiralty Shipyards for construction such excellent ships for operation in difficult polar conditions” underlined the Director of the AARI.

JSC "Admiralty Shipyards" signed the state contract for construction of SRV "Ivan Frolov” with Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring in March 2023. In May of this year, JSC "Admiralty Shipyards" chose JSC "Nevskoye Design Bureau” as the designer of the mentioned unique vessel. In June, the SRV model was tested in the aerodynamic tunnel at the Krylov State Research Centre, during which the hull aerodynamic characteristics were determined and confirmed.

SRV "Ivan Frolov" is intended to carry out the Antarctic Program of the Russian Federation and will be operated by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI).

It is planned that in six years SRV "Ivan Frolov" will replace the flagship of the polar fleet, SRV "Akademik Fedorov", and will remain in operation for at least 30 years.

During the creation of the new vessel, JSC "Admiralty Shipyards" uses the experience gained during the construction of SRV IRSPP "North Pole", which was included in the rating of the TOP 100 Modern Russia Main Achievements.