{{Short description|Platform supply ship built in 1998}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox ship |display_title=ital |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image= |image_caption= }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |country= |flag= |name=''Arcticaborg'' (''Арктикаборг'') |owner=* border|20px Wagenborg |operator=* Wagenborg (1998–2018) * Fathom Offshore (2018–2019) * Mercury Sakhalin (2019–present)<ref name="equasis" /> |registry=* {{flag|Netherlands Antilles}} (1998–2004) * Aktau, {{KAZ}} (2004–2017) * Willemstad, {{CUW}} (2017–2018) * Edmonton, {{CAN}} (2018–2019) * Willemstad, {{CUW}} (2019) * Korsakov, {{RUS}} (2019–present)<ref name="equasis" /> |ordered=December 1997<ref name="aarc">[http://akerarctic.fi/sites/default/files/reference/fields/field_attachments/arcticaborg_antarcticaborg.pdf Icebreaking Supply Vessels Arcticaborg and Antarcticaborg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822134924/http://akerarctic.fi/sites/default/files/reference/fields/field_attachments/arcticaborg_antarcticaborg.pdf |date=22 August 2017 }}. Aker Arctic Technology Inc. Retrieved 22 August 2017</ref> |builder=Kværner Masa-Yards Helsinki New Shipyard, Helsinki, Finland<ref name="rs" /> |original_cost= |yard_number=*496 |laid_down= |launched= |christened= |completed=*14 October 1998<ref name="rs">{{csr|register=RS|id=980198|shipname=Arcticaborg|access-date=18 February 2012}}</ref> |in_service=1998–present |out_of_service= |identification=*{{IMO number|9184976}} * {{MMSI|316037515}} <!-- * Call sign: UNA --> |fate= |status=In service |notes= }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption=<ref name="rs" /> |type=Platform supply vessel |tonnage=*{{GT|1,453}} *{{NetT|454}} *{{DWT|675}} |displacement=2,043 tons |length={{convert|65.10|m|ft|abbr=on}} |beam={{convert|16.40|m|ft|abbr=on}} |height= |draught={{convert|2.90|m|ft|abbr=on}} |draft= |depth={{convert|4.40|m|ft|abbr=on}} |ice_class=RMRS UL |power=2 × Wärtsilä&nbsp;6L26 (2 × 1,950&nbsp;kW) |propulsion=*2 × ABB Azipod VI1100A (2 × 1,620 kW) *Bow thruster (150&nbsp;kW) |speed=*{{convert|13|kn}} in open water *{{convert|3|kn}} in {{convert|60|cm|abbr=on}} ice |range= |endurance= |capacity= |crew=*12 *Accommodation for 20 persons |notes= }} }}

'''''Arcticaborg''''' (''Арктикаборг'') is an icebreaking platform supply vessel. She was previously operated by Wagenborg Kazakhstan in the Caspian Sea but was transferred to Canada in 2017 and acquired by Fathom Offshore in 2018. In 2019, she was contract to Russia for two years.<ref name="rucharter">{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fathom-marine-inc_arcticaborg-icebreaker-arctic-activity-6566728183180255232-CXsJ/|title=LinkedIn update by Fathom Maritime|date=12 August 2019|access-date=13 August 2019}}</ref>

''Arcticaborg'' and her sister ship, ''Antarcticaborg'', were built by Kværner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, Finland, in 1998. They are the first full developments of the double acting ship concept and among the first icebreakers equipped with Azipods, electric azimuth thrusters manufactured by ABB.

== Design ==

=== General characteristics ===

The 2,043-ton ''Arcticaborg'' is {{convert|65.10|m|ft}} long and has a beam of {{convert|16.40|m|ft}}. Designed to operate in shallow waters with a maximum depth of {{convert|5|m|ft}}, her maximum operating draught is only {{convert|2.90|m|ft}}. Furthermore, her main dimensions were limited by the Russian inland waterways which had to be used to transport the ships to the Caspian Sea.<ref name="poac" /> The gross tonnage of ''Arcticaborg'' is 1,453, net tonnage 454, and deadweight tonnage 675 tons.<ref name="rs" /><ref name="motorship" /> The ship is served by a crew of 12 and has accommodation for 20.<ref name="wagenborg">[http://www.wagenborg.com/pdf/Antarcticaborg.pdf Arcticaborg/Antarcticaborg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807020103/http://www.wagenborg.com/pdf/Antarcticaborg.pdf |date=7 August 2012 }}. Wagenborg. Retrieved 18 February 2012</ref>

Being a supply ship, ''Arcticaborg'' is equipped to carry a wide range of goods needed on the offshore platform. The ship has a {{convert|350|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} open aft decks for dry cargo and a cargo hold which has a hatch large enough the fit a twenty-foot container. For powderized goods such as cement and barite, ''Arcticaborg'' has five storage silos with a combined capacity of {{convert|51|m3|cuft|abbr=on}}. Furthermore, the ship has cargo tanks for {{convert|48|m3|cuft|abbr=on}} of liquid drilling mud, {{convert|363|m3|cuft|abbr=on}} of fuel, and {{convert|278|m3|cuft|abbr=on}} of fresh water. On her way back from the platform, ''Arcticaborg'' was designed to carry {{convert|67|m3|cuft|abbr=on}} of sewage and wastewater.<ref name="wagenborg" /> It is also equipped for firefighting, pollution control and rescue operations, and has towing and anchor handling equipment.<ref name="motorship" />

''Arcticaborg'' was initially classified by Russian Maritime Register of Shipping with ice class UL, equivalent to the highest Finnish-Swedish ice class, 1A Super.<ref name="rs" /><ref name="wagenborg" /> However, the actual level of ice strengthening far exceeds the requirements of the ice class notations.<ref name="poac">Arpiainen, M. et al. [http://www.akerarctic.fi/publications/pdf/Poac99XWagenborg.pdf Development of the new icebreaking supply vessel for Northern Caspian Sea] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007134349/http://www.akerarctic.fi/publications/pdf/Poac99XWagenborg.pdf |date=7 October 2007 }}. POAC 1999. Retrieved 18 February 2012</ref>

=== Power and propulsion ===

''Arcticaborg'' has a diesel-electric powertrain with two six-cylinder Wärtsilä 6L26 4-stroke medium-speed diesel engines, each with a maximum continuous rating of {{convert|1950|kW|hp}}, driving van Kaick DGS generators rated 2,250 kVA at 690 V. According to the power plant principle, the main generators in the forward engine room provide electrical power for all shipboard consumers, including propulsion. For emergency and harbour use, the ship also has Valmet 612 diesel engines, rated at {{convert|130|kW|hp}}, coupled to 163 kVA alternators. ''Arcticaborg'' is propelled by two ABB Azipod VI1100A electric azimuth thrusters rated at 1,620&nbsp;kW each.<ref name="abb_reflist">[https://library.e.abb.com/public/98a7ddd74d7ecb3bc1257b09004c14ab/ABB%20Propulsion%20Products%20reference%20list%202013.pdf References - Propulsion Products]. ABB. {{retrieved|access-date=28 May 2015}}</ref> ''Arcticaborg'' was among the first icebreakers fitted with Azipod units that allow the ship to operate astern in heavy ice conditions with excellent maneuverability. In addition the ship has one 150&nbsp;kW bow thruster for harbour operations.<ref name="motorship">Double-acting icebreaking duo. The Motor Ship, December 1998.</ref>

''Arcticaborg'' is capable of breaking level ice up to {{convert|60|cm|in}} thick at {{convert|3|kn}} when moving ahead.<ref name="wagenborg" /> However, the bow is designed primarily with good seakeeping and open water characteristics in mind, and in heavy ice conditions the ship is turned around and operated stern first. In such way, her icebreaking capability increases to {{convert|1|m|ft}} of level ice. More importantly, by allowing the Azipod units to mill and crush the ice, ''Arcticaborg'' is able to penetrate ice ridges that are thicker than the draught of the ship and sometimes reach the seabed without having to rely on backing and ramming.<ref name="motorship" /><ref name="poac" /> Her service speed in open water is {{convert|13|kn}} and bollard pull 32 tons.<ref name="wagenborg" />

In addition to the four Azipod units installed on ''Arcticaborg'' and her sister ship, ABB delivered a fifth spare unit, which allowed the company to carry out a complete overhaul for all propulsors, one at a time, without having to dock the ships for extended periods.<ref>[http://www.abb.com/cawp/seitp202/b39b2cd232c1d0e8c125788b003d25a5.aspx ABB wins Azipod® service contract]. ABB, 9 May 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2012</ref>

== Career ==

''Arcticaborg'' and ''Antarcticaborg'' were ordered from Kværner Masa-Yards Helsinki New Shipyard in December 1997 following extensive research and model testing at the company's Arctic Technology Centre, nowadays known as Aker Arctic.<ref name="motorship" /> Constructed in the covered dry dock at the same time, both ships were delivered to Wagenborg Kazakhstan BV, a subsidiary of the Dutch shipping company {{ill|Wagenborg Shipping|nl|Wagenborg (rederij)}}, within a week in October 1998 and sailed from Finland through the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and finally to the Caspian Sea through rivers Don and Volga. The final ice trials were conducted in the following spring.<ref name="poac" /> The ships were placed under long-term charter by Offshore Kazakhstan International Operating Company (OKIOC), a consortium which includes Royal Dutch Shell.<ref name="aarc" /><ref>[https://www.digitalwavepublishing.com/pubs/NWM/maritimereporter/199812/?pgno=50 Great ships of 1998 - Arcticaborg]. Maritime Reporter, December 1998. Page 48.</ref> Although initially classified by Bureau Veritas and flying the Dutch flag, the ships were reclassified by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and their port of registry was changed to Aktau, Kazakhstan, shortly after delivery.<ref name="poac" />

Following the discovery of the Kashagan Field in July 2000, ''Arcticaborg'' and ''Antarcticaborg'' began operating for Agip KCO in the Northern Caspian Sea where the water depth is only {{convert|4|-|7|m|ft}} and the ice conditions are particularly difficult.<ref name="juurmaa">Juurmaa, K. and Wilkman, G. [http://www.akerarctic.fi/publications/pdf/MombXSupplyOperations.pdf Supply operations in ice conditions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007134225/http://www.akerarctic.fi/publications/pdf/MombXSupplyOperations.pdf |date=7 October 2007 }}. Okhotsk Sea & Sea Ice, 2002. Retrieved 18 February 2012</ref> In 2000, dedicated ice-strengthened barges, pushed or towed by the icebreaking supply ships, were developed and constructed to allow uninterrupted cargo transportation to and from the platforms year round.<ref>Arpiainen, M. et al. [http://www.akerarctic.fi/publications/pdf/Poac01XModelBarges.pdf Model tests with icebreaking barges for operation in the Northern Caspian Sea] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007134649/http://www.akerarctic.fi/publications/pdf/Poac01XModelBarges.pdf |date=7 October 2007 }}. POAC 2001. Retrieved 19 January 2012</ref>

In May 2017, Royal Wagenborg was awarded a five-year contract for icebreaking and other services in the Canadian Arctic. The company relocated ''Arcticaborg'' from the Caspian Sea to Vancouver via the Northwest Passage.<ref>[https://www.wagenborg.com/royal-wagenborg/news/wagenborg-offshore-signs-contract-for-multipurpose-offshore-vesse Wagenborg Offshore signs contract for multipurpose offshore vessel Arcticaborg]. Royal Wagenborg, 22 May 2017. {{retrieved|access-date=22 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Citation| author = R. K. Headland|display-authors=et al | year = 2018| title = Transits of the Northwest Passage to the end of 2018 Navigation Season| publisher = Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom, CB2 1ER.| url =https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/resources/infosheets/northwestpassage.pdf}}</ref> The ownership of ''Arcticaborg'' was retained by Wagenborg; the vessel is on a bareboat charter to Fathom Offshore.<ref name="equasis">{{csr|register=E|id=9184976|shipname=Arcticaborg|access-date=13 July 2018}}</ref>

In August 2019, ''Arcticaborg'' left Canada for a two-year contract in Russia.<ref name="rucharter" /> {{asof|2020}}, the vessel is operated by Mercury Sakhalin in the Sakhalin oil fields under the Russian flag.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wagenborg.com/news/new-building-order-world-s-first-shallow-draft-ice-breaking-walk-to-work-vessel|title=New building order world's first shallow draft ice-breaking walk to work vessel|publisher=Royal Wagenborg|date=2 June 2020}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{Icebreakers of Canada}}

Category:1998 ships Category:Double acting ships Category:Ships built in Helsinki Category:Icebreakers of Kazakhstan Category:Icebreakers of Canada Category:Icebreakers of Russia