Working Conditions Aboard the Dikson

In December 2021, the powerful icebreaker 'Arktika' ventured deep into the dense sea-ice of the Laptev Sea, embarking on an impressive journey that spanned several thousand kilometers eastward across the East Siberian Sea, ultimately reaching the town of Pevek. This marked the maiden voyage of the newly commissioned icebreaker into the eastern Arctic waters. Accompanying 'Arktika' were three vessels: the 'Polar King', 'Inzhener Rubin', and the diesel-powered icebreaker 'Dikson'. Upon arriving in Pevek, these cargo ships unloaded their essential cargo—overwhelmingly construction materials aimed for the Baymskaya copper mining project—only to become entangled in the sea-ice of the local port. The ships remained immobilized until February 9, 2022, when 'Arktika' returned to the area and initiated a massive escort operation stretching across the Northern Sea Route. This operation serves as a precursor to planned year-round convoys on this critical Arctic route. By February 15, the convoy, now comprising 'Arktika', the two cargo vessels, and additionally, the nuclear-powered container ship 'Sevmorput', was moving cautiously toward the Vilkitsky Strait, which separates the Laptev Sea from the Kara Sea. Notably, 'Sevmorput' had previously traversed the Russian Arctic route in November 2021, transporting essential equipment and metal structures for a nuclear power plant that is currently under construction in Bangladesh. Having started its return journey to Murmansk from Vladivostok on January 17, it has since joined the convoy. The diesel-engined icebreaker 'Kapitan Dranitsyn' also lent its support to the growing convoy, which is facing formidable sea-ice thickness exceeding two meters in significant areas. If all goes as planned, the convoy is anticipated to reach the Barents Sea by the end of February.

Yuri Kuzmin, the chief engineer at Sevmorgeo, has announced an upcoming technical upgrade for the diesel-powered icebreaker DIKSON. The vessel is set to dock in Kirkenes for a period of 15 days, during which it will be outfitted with advanced satellite navigation systems, along with essential equipment necessary for conducting seismic operations. The DIKSON will embark on this journey to sea on August 1 and is expected to return to its home port in Arkhangelsk by late September or early October. This upgrade marks a significant milestone, as it is the first instance of Russia utilizing a diesel-run icebreaker for such operations. Originally constructed in 1983 by the renowned Finnish shipyard Wartsila, the DIKSON continues to play a crucial role in maritime exploration.