The state programme Socioeconomic Development of the Russian Arctic Zone envisions the design and construction of the North Pole ice-resistant self-propelled platform, a floating observatory for environmental research and monitoring, to ensure continuous, comprehensive research in the high latitudes of the Arctic Ocean. The platform is to be put into operation in 2020. According to the official website of the RF Government, the signed documents approve the decision on 2018-2020 budget allocations for design and construction of the platform in the amount of 6,966.6 million roubles. Admiralty Shipyards has been designated as the contractor that will design and build the platform.
The documents were submitted by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Foundations of the State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic to 2020 and Beyond, the Maritime Doctrine of the Russian Federation and the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation outline the areas of focus and priorities of Arctic development, including information support to address economic, defence and geopolitical tasks in the Arctic, which requires an increased volume of operational and monitoring data on the condition of the Arctic Ocean.
To support and expand comprehensive scientific research in the high latitudes of the Arctic Ocean, the state programme Socioeconomic Development of the Russian Arctic Zone (approved by the Government Resolution No. 1064 of 31 August 2017, hereinafter referred to as the state programme) envisions the design and construction of the North Pole ice-resistant self-propelled platform, a floating observatory for environmental research and monitoring in the high latitudes of the Arctic Ocean which will accommodate modern laboratory complexes. The launch date for the platform is 2020.
Resolution No. 355 provides for 2018-2020 budget investments in the design and construction of the platform. In accordance with the state programme, budget funds for the design and construction of the platform will total 6,966.6 million roubles (363 million roubles in 2018, 4,325.6 million roubles in 2019, 2,278 million roubles in 2020 году).
Resolution No. 545-r designates Admiralty Shipyards as the contractor to design and build the platform.
Admiralty Shipyards is a key enterprise of the Russian shipbuilding industry. A member of the northwestern shipbuilding cluster, Admiralty has built over 3,000 ships and vessels, including research vessels, icebreakers, tankers, ocean rescue vessels, and submersibles. Its facilities comprise five building berths and a floating dry dock, allowing it to build modern vessels with a deadweight up to 80,000 tonnes.
The purpose of the North Pole Platform is to enhance Russia’s presence in the Arctic and its position as the global leader of polar science, as well as to expand the scope of Artic research.
The document in Russian is available here >>>>