What Crew Members Say About Mikhail-Ulyanov

A Dutch court has issued a stern warning to Greenpeace activists, stating they could face a hefty fine if they obstruct the delivery of oil by the Sovcomflot (SCF) shuttle tanker in Rotterdam. If the environmental organization attempts to prevent the 69,800-dwt Mikhail Ulyanov, constructed in 2010, from docking, they face a minimum penalty of EUR 50,000 (approximately $63,239). SCF is deeply involved in significant Arctic projects, with several vessels supporting operations for oil giants such as Gazprom. Amidst concerns about the environmental impact of Arctic oil extraction, particularly the risks of oil spills and climate change, Lord Fairfax of Cameron, an SCF director, remarked during a UK parliamentary session on Tuesday, 'This is the game we are involved in.' Currently, SCF is engaged in three major projects in the Arctic, utilizing shuttle tankers and icebreakers to facilitate operations in this challenging environment.

On May 1, 2014, environmental activists from Greenpeace initiated a high-profile protest against the Russian tanker 'Mikhail Ulyanov' as it aimed to dock at the Port of Rotterdam. This tanker, laden with contentious Arctic crude oil, became the epicenter of a tense confrontation. Approximately 100 activists, supported by crew members from the Greenpeace vessels 'Rainbow Warrior III' and 'Esperanza', rallied to obstruct the tanker’s arrival. In an effort to amplify their message, protesters also utilized paragliders that soared above the vessel. However, the demonstration faced a swift response from law enforcement, leading to the detention of around 30 protesters both on the wharf and in boats in the vicinity. When the 'Rainbow Warrior III' ignored police requests to cease their blockade, authorities intervened by towing the ship away from the scene. This incident has drawn considerable media attention, further fueling the debate on environmental concerns relating to Arctic oil transport.

In a significant milestone for Arctic oil exploration, the first shipment of oil from the Prirazlomnaya platform, which marks Russia's inaugural offshore hydrocarbons project in the Arctic, has officially commenced today, April 18, 2014, as announced by the press center of Sovcomflot. Leading this shipment is the Arctic shuttle tanker Mikhail Ulyanov, operated by Sovcomflot. This tanker will work in tandem with the Kirill Lavrov under a long-term partnership agreement between Sovcomflot and Gazprom Neft Shelf, the Gazprom subsidiary managing the project. The launch event was graced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who participated via videoconference. The Prirazlomnaya platform, designed to withstand harsh Arctic conditions, along with two cutting-edge Arctic-class shuttle tankers and specialized support vessels, forms a comprehensive production and transportation complex. This setup is poised to reliably and safely deliver up to 6 million tons of crude oil annually, defying the extreme temperatures and ice challenges of the Arctic Basin.