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Yamal icebreaker sets off from Murmansk

Yamal icebreaker sets off from Murmansk
GAC Russia has dispatched nuclear icebreaker Yamal to clear a passage through the Northern Sea Route (NSR), starting a year-long agreement with state icebreaking firm Atomflot.

Following a delayed departure of due to dense fog and heavy snow, the vessel departed GAC Murmansk pulled by two tugs and escorted by a pilot.

Arkady Podkopaev, md of GAC Russia, said: “Our handling of the ‘Yamal’ and our contract with Atomflot form part of our strategy to establish GAC Russia as the provider of choice for agency support services for vessels transiting the challenging Northern Sea Route.”

The contract also includes provision of husbandry services to Lenin, the first atomic icebreaker put into service back in 1959 and laid up 30 years later to serve as a museum ship.