VESSEL REFIT | Akademik Nikolay Strakhov – Upgrade completed on Russian ocean research vessel

An ocean research vessel owned by the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and operated by the academy's Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (IO) has completed undergoing a modernisation program to extend its service life by another 10 to 15 years.

The refit on the 1985-built Akademik Nikolay Strakhov began in 2022 and was concluded earlier this year under the supervision of local naval architecture firm Nordic Engineering. All works were completed in compliance to Russian Maritime Register of Shipping rules.

The modernisation included replacement of some of the scientific equipment and refurbishing of the berthing and the laboratory spaces for use in various disciplines such as marine biology, geology, hydroacoustics, and ocean ecology.

The upgrade covered the installation of more than 40 different types of modern scientific equipment such as sensors for measuring air quality, equipment for surface and seabed water monitoring, and tools for collecting and analysing water and soil samples from depths as low as 6,000 metres. Also replaced were the auxiliary diesel generators, the automated systems, cargo cranes, and rescue gear.

Last August, following completion of post-refit sea trials, Strakhov embarked on its 55th voyage, departing Kaliningrad to conduct a 45-day scientific expedition that ended with its arrival in Murmansk. IO operated the vessel in support of the RAS' Geological Institute to aid in the study of intraplate tectonic, magmatic, and hydrothermal-metamorphic phenomena outside the axial zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the North Atlantic Ocean in the intermediate region between the zones of influence of the Azores and Icelandic plumes.

Some of our readers have expressed disquiet at our publication of reviews and articles describing new vessels from Russia. We at Baird Maritime can understand and sympathise with those views. However, despite the behaviour of the country's leaders, we believe that the maritime world needs to learn of the latest developments in vessel design and construction there.

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