The Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau are discussing the composition of a new research fleet that needs to be created to address key tasks in marine science. In the coming years, it will be sufficient for Russia to build about ten research vessels of various specializations and displacements to secure its interests in the World Ocean.
The construction of an Arc7 class research icebreaker with a displacement of about 9,000 tons, capable of operating in harsh ice conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic, is planned. Two large multi-functional research vessels based on the "Akademik Sergey Vavilov" and "Akademik Ioffe" are also being discussed, as well as a number of medium-tonnage and small-tonnage vessels, including vessels for operation in the Caspian and Black Seas. The latter are particularly important for studying the shallowing of the Caspian Sea.
The Institute and the Almaz Design Bureau have already signed an agreement on cooperation in the design and construction of new research vessels. Regular research in the Arctic, Antarctic, and other regions of the World Ocean is necessary to maintain the right to develop natural resources—hydrocarbon, rare earth, and biological—as well as to protect marine ecosystems and understand climate change.
The average age of the current research vessels is 38 years. Maintaining their operability is becoming increasingly difficult due to age, sanctions restrictions, and rising costs. Therefore, the construction of a new research fleet is becoming a priority for the country in the coming years.
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