As previously reported by the Barents Observer, the 299 meter long LNG carrier operated by Sovcomflot on the 27th January set out from the Chinese port and few days later sailed through the Bering Strait were it soon team up with nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy.
I wish they had included some footage of the more challenging ice conditions to the video. At times, Christophe de Margerie had to sail stern-first behind 50 Let Pobedy.
It’s still an impressive video, though.
One thing worth noting is that the first-generation Yamalmax LNG carriers were not originally designed for year-round service along the full length of the Northern Sea Route. The moderate ice bow is a compromise between icebreaking capability and open water characteristics. Thus, the vessel benefits more from the availability of icebreaker escort than the upcoming second-generation Arc7 LNG carriers which feature a more aggressive icebreaking bow.
Is there a reason the Russians paint the houses of their icebreakers blood red?
Better visiblity in poor weather conditions? Rescue ships are painted with similar colors.
edit: I also saw 50 Let Pobedy and every other nuclear-powered icebreaking ship ever built at the time when I sailed from Murmansk to the Kara Sea in 2015:
Note the fire control radars on the decommissioned Soviet-era Rossiya and Sovetskiy Soyuz; Yamal and 50 Let Pobedy were never fitted with them:
That’s the only reason I could think of, against a field of white but it’s an odd shade, not close to international orange.
