Icebreaker Stepan Makarov Commences Operations for Sakhalin II

On August 6, 2017, the ice-breaking production platform supply vessel named after famous Russian naval officer Vice Admiral Stepan Makarov arrived on the shores of Sakhalin Island to commence operations.

Built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, the vessel meets the most stringent Russian and international navigation safety requirements and can be used in the adverse conditions of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Stepan Makarov will operate within the Sakhalin II project under a long-term agreement between Sakhalin Energy and ‎‎Sovcomflot‎‎. With a dead weight of 3,880 tons, the vessel can carry 98 people, including 72 passengers from among the personnel of oil and gas platforms.

The vessel is equipped with an Iceman walk-to-work bridge of the Arctic class specially designed by Ampelmann for Sakhalin Energy to ensure easy and safe year-round transfer of personnel to the platform. It eliminates relative movement by instantaneously measuring the vessel’s movements and compensating them via special hydraulic cylinders.

The new Russian-flagged vessel will ensure the safety of the personnel of Sakhalin Energy’s oil and gas platforms in the Sea of Okhotsk, respond to oil spills, house backup personnel working on the platforms, and provide support to the Company within the limits of its technical capacities.