New supply vessel launched for Sakhalin-2 project

The reinforced ice-class vessel has deadweight of 3,000 tonnes and an Azipod propulsion system with a power rating of 13 MW. It is to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2016 and is the first of four vessels ordered by Sovcomflot for operations at the Sakhalin-2 project.
The other three are emergency response and rescue vessels that have a smaller deadweight, namely 2,000 tonnes, but offer enhanced functionality and can carry more passengers. Construction of all four vessels began in 2015.    
The agreement between Sovcomflot and Russia's Sakhalin Energy, signed in the spring of 2014, involves the operation of these vessels for 20 years. They are designed for year-round delivery of personnel, supplies and consumables to three production platforms in the Okhotsk Sea. In an emergency, the vessels are also able to undertake complex environmental protection measures and will enhance the safety of personnel based on these production platforms, Sovcomflot says.
The Sakhalin-2 project includes two oil and gas fields being developed on the north-eastern shelf of Sakhalin Island: the Piltun-Astokhskoye oil field and the Lunskoye gas field. Sovcomflot has been providing Sakhalin-2 with specialised supply vessels since 2009.
It contracted Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) to build the four vessels. All are being constructed by Russia's Vyborg Shipyard and Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy of Finland, both affiliated with USC.