Laid-up Russian research ship handed over for recycling

The National Operator of the Research Fleet (NORF), a vessel operating sub-agency of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, has handed over the research vessel Akademik Aleksandr Nesmeyanov to an undisclosed recycling company for towing and eventual disposal.

The towing has been approved by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping while the recycling will be undertaken in Vladivostok in compliance with federal marine transport safety and environmental protection requirements.

The NORF decided on the decommissioning and disposal of the vessel after it determined that its continued operation was no longer feasible due to the significant wear and tear of many of the onboard systems.

Built in Poland in 1982, Akademik Aleksandr Nesmeyanov was operated by the NORF until 2008 and was regularly used for ocean exploration voyages.

The recycling of the vessel has an estimated cost of RUB41 million (US$490,000). The recycling firm was selected following a competitive tender process initiated in September 2024.