Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Murmansk

On February 28, 2026, the Russian icebreaker 'Murmansk' found itself at the center of controversy after it unlawfully entered Estonian waters while conducting a rescue mission for a tanker. The vessel crossed maritime boundaries near Vaindlo Island without seeking prior approval from Estonia, a member of both the EU and NATO. Disturbingly, the 'Murmansk' failed to inform the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or respond to radio communications during its unauthorized entry. In response to this infringement, Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chargé d'Affaires from the Russian Embassy, issuing a formal diplomatic note. This communication served to remind Moscow of the stringent regulations governing passage through Estonian territorial waters, which stipulate that foreign vessels must give a 48-hour notice prior to entry through diplomatic channels. However, acknowledging the challenging ice conditions and the pressing need to assist maritime operations, Estonia expressed its willingness to expedite this notification period to just six hours during icebreaker season.

On December 18, 2023, Arctech Helsinki Shipyard announced the successful delivery of the Baltic icebreaker Murmansk to Vyborg Shipyard JSC, under the terms of a contract signed with the Russian Ministry of Transport in 2012. Vyborg Shipyard will subsequently transfer the vessel to Rosmorport before the year's end. The Murmansk is the second of three icebreakers commissioned as part of this deal. While Vyborg Shipyard provided the fundamental design and acquired essential components, Arctech took charge of the construction, outfitting, and testing phases of the vessel's development. The Murmansk is engineered for a variety of critical operations including icebreaking, support for heavy-tonnage vessels in icy waters, and towing missions throughout both ice and open water year-round. Additionally, this robust icebreaker is equipped for firefighting on marine structures and rendering assistance to vessels in distress during harsh conditions. With the capability to operate in extreme temperatures as low as -40°C, the Murmansk showcases impressive icebreaking prowess, handling ice thicknesses of up to 1.5 meters. Notable specifications of the icebreaker include a length of 119.8 meters and a breadth of 27.5 meters, making it a significant player in maritime operations in the region. The Murmansk is poised to enhance maritime safety and operational efficiency in icy waters as it joins the fleet.

The diesel-electric icebreaker Murmansk, part of Project 21900 M, has successfully wrapped up the second phase of its sea trials. This significant achievement was confirmed by Vladimir Shtrambrand, the head of the fleet construction and repair department at FSUE Rosmorport, during the IX International Forum 'Transport of Russia'. Following the trials, the vessel has made its way back to the port of Helsinki, Finland. Shtrambrand shared that the Murmansk is scheduled for delivery to FSUE Rosmorport by late December 2015.