Antarctic Odyssey goes on

The Russian fleet is reinforced with new vessels for scientific and commercial use. On October 10, Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev paid a working visit to St. Petersburg.
The head of the Cabinet of Ministers took part in the ceremony of handing the Academician Treshnikov scientific-expeditionary vessel built in St. Petersburg to Roshydromet. Startup of the new ship will enable Russia to renew the study of the Pacific Ocean sector of the Antarctic in accordance with the Russian development strategy in this region to the end of 2020. The research work there was terminated more than 20 years ago. Since then, no scientific vessels of this class have been built either. The Academician Treshnikov will ensure the planned activities of the Russian Bellingshausen Antarctic Station, and reactivation of the Russkaya station. It is a unique base used for monitoring natural processes in the space of thousand kilometers and for ensuring the GLONASS satellite system’s operations. At the launching ceremony the Russian Prime Minister said:
“I expect that the ship will participate in the solution of global tasks providing Russia’s activity in the Arctic, the Antarctic and in the World Ocean in general. The times, when only the major states or the states located close to the poles were interested in the problems of the Arctic and the Antarctic, have already passed. Now it's not so, and Russia should have its rightful place in these studies, because it is not only a scientific question, but the question of geopolitical presence, and therefore the question of the future of our country.”
The new vessel combines the functions of a dry-cargo ship, tanker, passenger ship and research vessel. It is equipped with the most modern systems and is almost ready for a voyage.

News source: Voice of Russia