The Russian Navy's brand-new armament support ship Akademik Kovalev has arrived at Severomorsk, the Northern Fleet's main base, the NF press office said.
The vessel has completed transition on her maiden voyage from the White Sea to the Kola Bay, in adverse weather conditions, including heavy gale.
When the Akedemik Kovalev docked at Severomorsk berth the crew was greeted by Deputy Commander of NF's Logistics Vice Admiral Alexey Belkin. He congratulated the sailors on the successful completion of the transition and the arrival at the base.
Earlier ammunition ship has successfully passed a full range of state trials in the White Sea.
The Akademik Kovalev was designed by the St. Petersburg based CMDB "Almaz" and built at Zvezdochka Ship Repair Centre (Zvezdochka Shipyard).
On October 11, 2015 the Akademik Kovalev for the first time put out to sea. By early December, the crew and a commissioning team of Zvezdochka Shipyard completed the program of shipbuilder's and state acceptance trials.
The ammunition ship of Project 20180TV has ice-class Arc-5 and is intended for loading / unloading / transport of arms. General characteristics: length overall - 107.6 m; breadth overall - 17.8 m; full load displacement - 6300 tonnes; crew - 60. The vessel has DP2 system and is equipped with a helipad for sea-based helicopters, a 90-tonne crane and a tilting device.
The solemn Navy's flag hoisting ceremony was held aboard the Akademik Kovalev on December 18, 2015 which means commissioning of the ship into service with the Northern Fleet.