Work and available vacancies in Antarctica. How it works. Everyday life on a nuclear icebreaker In-demand specialties and professions

According to scientists, people have lived in the Arctic for about 30 thousand years. This statement is based on the fact that sites of ancient peoples were discovered in the Komi Republic and Yakutia. But for most Russian citizens, the Arctic is a constant struggle for survival, permafrost, a huge number of polar bears and polar nights.

In reality, this was how things stood during the period of modern man’s exploration of these territories. Although even now work in the Arctic requires people to be able to endure cold and difficulties.

Modern realities

Today, there is great interest in the Arctic region all over the world. Due to the huge natural resources, almost all countries are ready to invest in these lands. Moreover, the Arctic is yet to be given national appropriation, because this territory does not yet belong to anyone. Several countries lay claim to the Arctic:

Russia.
Denmark.
Norway.
Canada.

Naturally, all these five countries have access to the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Each state will have to present weighty arguments to the world community before putting forward national claims. But the most important factor for any country is to prove its readiness to actively develop the northern expanses.

The third wave of “ice” development has already begun in Russia. After all, our country has more than 40% of the circumpolar space, that is, the lands that surround the North Pole.

What are people doing here? Popular specialties

As mentioned earlier, working in the Arctic requires good physical health and a willingness to face challenges. Today, not only scientific and research activities are carried out in the region. The region is developing rapidly, and as of the beginning of this year 2017, there were twice as many vacancies compared to the previous period.

The following non-scientific specialists are invited to work in the Arctic:

personnel management - no more than 3%;
the same number of people are required in sales;
about 2% are in demand for accountants.

And finishing the list are specialists of other administrative professions, no more than 2%.

Science professionals

Naturally, in the region not only work is underway on the extraction and processing of raw materials, research work is still being carried out. Therefore, scientific specialists in the following fields are required to work in the Arctic:

hydrophysics;
meteorology;
geology;
glaciology;
cryology;
oceanology.

But in this case, increased demands are placed on applicants. In addition to professional knowledge, a person will be required to have high moral qualities and the ability to get out of difficult situations. While there is still some way to protect yourself from the cold, it is quite difficult to protect yourself from bears. According to reviews from “experienced” people, it’s as if a hungry animal wanders into a residential settlement, and meeting it is life-threatening.

Today, scientific workers are paid at least 100 thousand rubles. Naturally, by modern standards the payment is not that high, but still more than in big cities.

Unique professions

If you really want to, you can get a job in the tourism industry in the Arctic. Indeed, even travelers are taken to the region. There are two directions:

hiking; skiing;
cruise tours.

At the same time, only a few people can afford such a vacation; no more than 500 people a year. If we talk about a trip to an icebreaker (14 days), then it will cost almost 1.5 million rubles and more for 1 traveler. A ski tour costs 2 million, but with a flight to Barneo station.

Also, a unique profession is a reindeer herder; it is unlikely that you will be able to get a job in such a specialty in any other region. Such persons are paid a raise, about 300 thousand, and wages - from 60 thousand.

However, there are also fake professions on the Internet, for example, penguin flipper or bear scarer.

Benefits and allowances

Working in the North in the Arctic attracts people not only with good benefits but also with certain benefits. First of all, this is the northern percentage, which is added to the employee’s salary:

For persons employed on the islands of the Arctic Ocean and in its seas, a 100% premium is provided. By the way, for workers hired in the Kuril Islands and in the Republic of Sakha and Chukotka, the same bonus is provided. For other regions close to Arctic conditions, no more than 80% of the premium is paid.

Work experience requirements

Despite the high demand for personnel, employers in the Arctic region still put forward certain requirements regarding work experience:

only 7% of personnel without work experience will be hired;
with experience from 1 to 3 years - 34%;
from 3 to 6 years - 48%;
from 6 years and more - only 11%.

Working hours

Conventionally, work in the Arctic is divided into that which is carried out on a permanent basis and on a rotational basis.

Shift work in the Arctic accounts for 71% of all vacancies. Only 26% of all employed persons work full-time. 2% have a variable schedule, and only 1% have a flexible schedule.

Traditionally, the shift lasts about 3-6 months. Typically, employees are sent to the site in October and picked up in March. But it is worth remembering that this period does not include the delivery period; in some cases, work along with the move is delayed by 1 year, or even 1.5.

How to choose vacancies and employer requirements

It is recommended to select vacancies from direct employers in order to exclude the possibility of falling into the clutches of scammers. As follows from reviews of local workers, the guarantees that are offered in most cases:

shift method;
shift from 3 months;
official employment;
long-term employment contract;
health insurance;
guarantees of payment of agreed wages and bonuses;
social guarantees.

It is also possible to clearly define the list of requirements for working in the Arctic on a rotational basis, put forward by most employers:

knowledge of English or Spanish;
ability to work on a PC;
excellent health.

Depending on the vacancy, the following requirements for candidates may also be put forward:

The age restrictions are quite strict. The people most in demand are those who have reached 25 years of age, but not older than 45. However, you can find vacancies with minimum requirements from 25 to 65 years.

For many specialties, a driver's license, certificates and other documents confirming qualifications, in addition to a diploma from an educational institution, are put forward as a requirement. You will definitely need a work book. The determining factor when choosing a candidate may be whether he or she has a military ID and a foreign passport.

The difficult working conditions in the Arctic, the high risk of danger and minimal comfort force employers to conduct a mandatory thorough medical examination of each selected applicant. “Shift workers” say that if chronic diseases and bad habits are detected, the candidate is usually denied employment.

Work on Franz Josef Land

There are many websites on the Internet for employment in the Arctic and many territories where people are offered to come. These are Wrangel Islands, Alexandra Land, Sredniy and Kotelny. You are invited to Cape Schmidt and the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. Simply put, there is plenty to choose from.

There are many vacancies for work in the Arctic on Franz Josef Land. The archipelago in the Arctic Ocean invites forwarders who will maintain contacts with transport companies and plot optimal routes. High demands are placed on such specialists - knowledge of logistics processes, possession of a driver's license and ability to plan.

There are many vacancies in design departments; road specialists and surveyors are required. Professionals in the field of gasification and electrification. After all, it is here that the peak development of the region is observed, roads, airports, military and civilian facilities are being intensively built.

However, one cannot say that everything is so well-appointed. According to reviews, housing is offered in carriage settlements, the houses are designed for 8 people, and the duration of the contract is at least 3 months. However, workers are offered free nutritious food, medical care, and special clothing.

The level in the region is quite varied and completely depends on the specialty; it ranges from 80 to 180 thousand rubles per month. An electric and gas welder and surveyor can claim 150 thousand, and lawyers, drivers and special equipment operators can claim 110 thousand and more.

Murmansk is the gateway to the Arctic. The only icebreaker fleet base in Russia is located here. From here, icebreakers go to high latitudes, accompany ships, and provide navigation along the Northern Sea Route.

Last year, a new icebreaker, the Arktika, was launched, and two more are expected to be launched in the coming years: the Sibir and the Ural. Their home port will, of course, be Murmansk. New technology requires fresh forces and personnel. That is why Atomflot is pursuing a targeted policy to attract young specialists. Word to Nikolai Kochetkov.

Rosatomflot is the operator of the Russian civil nuclear icebreaker fleet. The company employs just under 2,000 people. Almost a quarter of them are young professionals. These are mostly sailors who work on icebreakers, but gradually young people appear in other professions.

Maxim Filipov, deputy production director for ship repair at FSUE Atomflot: “The enterprise has been developing steadily since 2008, we are experiencing constant growth, I think this is an important factor for young specialists. Constant stable high wages, social guarantees that our company can offer to a young specialist.”

Alexey Stepanov came to the enterprise two years ago, now he works as a machine operator in the mechanical section, engaged in turning parts and assemblies of technological equipment of nuclear icebreakers.

Alexey Stepanov, a wide-profile machine operator at the mechanical department of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Atomflot: “Today’s youth choose the wrong specialties, economists, lawyers, programmers, and such specialties as turners and milling operators are not very interesting to them, I don’t know why, in fact, this very interesting professions, so I recommend that young people apply for such enterprises.”

Last year alone, Atomflot hired 145 people, 81 of whom were young specialists.

Alexey Stepanov, machine operator of the mechanical department of FSUE Atomflot: “There is, of course, stability here, this attracted me, and there is also the opportunity to improve qualifications, and training in other specialties.”

The development of the enterprise, the construction of a series of new icebreakers, a port fleet and ensuring shipping in the Arctic - all this requires an infusion of fresh forces and new personnel, so Atomflot is carrying out targeted work to attract young specialists.

Maria Nuzhdinova, Director of Personnel and Communications of FSUE Atomflot: “We place our hopes on young people; accordingly, we are pursuing a consistent personnel policy to update human resources and invite young specialists to work. It is important for us to show continuity; today those who occupy key positions can and do teach young people the traditions and good training programs that exist in the nuclear fleet.”

Rosatomflot is one of the largest maritime shipping companies and not only Murmansk residents work here. Young personnel come to work in the north from many regions of our country. Alexey Bakhtin is from the Tomsk region.

Trained on the icebreaker "Yamal" as an operator engineer. In the future, he will have to manage the nuclear power plant of an icebreaker.

Alexander Bakhtin, trainee engineer-operator of a nuclear icebreaker at FSUE Atomflot: “You need to work, you need to earn money, support your family, feel this responsibility. I believe that this step really helps me to become better, more confident and useful.”

Rosatomflot is not just a stable place to work, it also offers development prospects. These are not only nuclear icebreakers, but also the future port fleet. The enterprise has created a rich infrastructure, and, consequently, great opportunities to build a career not only in the fleet, but also on shore.

And this Saturday, the guests of the “Meeting Place” program will be First Deputy General Director of FSUE Atomflot Mustafa Kashka and Deputy General Director for Fleet Operations Andrey Smirnov.

They will talk about the development of the enterprise, navigation along the Northern Sea Route and plans for the future. “The Meeting Place” will air on TV-21 tomorrow at 16:00.

Working on long-distance ships attracts a very large number of people who are willing to spend most of their time at sea. Many people think that working on long-distance ships or on a cruise ship is only possible as a seaman.

The largest cruise ships

But in reality, the number of in-demand vacancies is much greater. This is due to the active and dynamic development of the Russian Navy, both military and civilian. Vacancies exist for both men and women, both for experienced sailors and for people without experience.

Working at sea has many nuances and features that must be taken into account before agreeing to such offers. Each position has its own set of minimum requirements that an employee of the Russian civil or military fleet must meet.

Sample of a diploma of completion of the Higher Academy of Artillery School. Specialty: command and staff, operational and strategic.

Ordinary sailors, in order to find work, must graduate from special nautical schools. Commanding personnel, especially senior ones, must receive higher education at an academy or university.

It is mandatory to study and know foreign languages, in particular English, which is considered the language of international communication.

To work on cruise ships, foreign languages are simply necessary, since mostly foreigners travel on ships. It is also important that the ship's employee has a diploma in a specific field. For example, a mechanic knew engineering, and a cook had knowledge of cooking.

One of the main features is that ship and ship employees must be prepared for long trips. Not only the team, but also family members must be prepared for such journeys.

Positive and negative sides

Working on a ship is a complex, exciting and entertaining process, which allows sailors to move up the career ladder, earn quite good money, and find a suitable position on land.

Seafarers earn significantly more than specialists in various fields on land.

This is what attracts a person to a maritime career, since in a few years you can accumulate enough money to buy an apartment, a car, or move to another country. This is especially true for earnings on a cruise ship or in the offshore gas and oil industry. An equally important aspect is that a person can become a captain at the age of 30. Very few people succeed in such a career at this age.

Other positive aspects include the following factors:

There is no need to spend money on daily expenses, since the owner of the ship or maritime company provides food, uniform, accommodation, flights, transfers.
Traveling to different countries.
Long vacation, which ranges from 4 to 6 months.
Studying foreign languages, cultures, making contacts.
Opportunity to find good employment in the future.
Demand for maritime specialists, regardless of the political and economic situation in the country.
Lack of officers.
Development of professional qualities and skills.
Gaining significant experience.

Working on cruise ships and long-distance ships also has negative aspects associated with a number of factors. Firstly, it is worth considering the need to work in a team where there is very strict discipline. Secondly, coexistence with team members in a limited space, establishing connections, contacts, and the ability to communicate. Thirdly, hard physical work, sometimes lasting more than 12 hours. The work schedule is usually rotating, which is complicated by the constant change of time zones. Fourthly, there is a high degree of injury and risk to general health. Fifthly, there is a threat from pirates who hijack merchant ships. According to the rules, you cannot store or use any firearms on a ship. Therefore, during the hijacking of a ship, sailors become defenseless victims of pirates.

The detention of the tanker "Mechanik Chebotarev" in Libya looks like a seizure

In addition, the disadvantages include prolonged stay in a confined space. This is due not only to being at sea, but also to the dimensions of the ship, the size of the recreation rooms, cabins, showers, and saunas. On many ships, such rooms are made more spacious and comfortable so that the human psyche remains stable. The work of a seafarer requires retraining to confirm diplomas and the necessary certificates. This learning process is not cheap and takes a lot of time. Seafarers are often deprived of a state pension, so when they are discharged ashore, they need to think about sources of income.

Available vacancies

Employment for vacancies in maritime specialties is offered by many companies with offices in Murmansk, Vladivostok, Kursk, Arkhangelsk and other cities. The most in demand are the following professions for junior and senior staff:

Sailors;
Mechanical engineers;
Pilots;
Navigators;
Motorists;
Electromechanics;
Assistant captains;
Captains.

Such specialties are taught in maritime schools and academies, where they train workers for commercial, cruise, and military ships. In addition, the professions of cook and cook, translator, signalman, and doctor are quite in demand.

In particular, in Murmansk, shipping companies are recruiting for such vacancies as senior mate, group captain, third and fourth mates, shift mate, and captain. Work is offered on tankers, river vessels, sea vessels, fishing ships, military and merchant ships.

Applicants for such vacancies must be able to understand navigation, electronic navigation equipment, mechanics and engineering, fulfilling the obligations assigned to the captain. In particular, be responsible for the safety of the ship and crew, cargo, passengers,

In Vladivostok, similar specialists are in demand, but there people have more opportunities to choose where to work. This is due to the fact that workers for submarines and ships are also required here. Submarines need mechanics, sailors, and electricians.

Mostly men are hired on commercial, military, and civilian ships. Although civilian cruise ships are also willing to hire women. On cruise ships, women are hired as bartenders, administrators, waitresses, maids, translators, photographers, pastry chefs, doctors, animators, musicians, masseuses, cosmetologists, and receptionists.

In general, the following standard list of vacancies has been formed for cruise ships:

Translators;
Stewards;
Bartenders;
Reception workers;
Support workers;
Video and photo operators;
Waiters;
Assistants for all named professions.

You must speak English, be under 35 years of age, be willing to entertain different groups of passengers, work about 10 hours a day, and be prepared for long stays at sea.

For women, professions at sea have also emerged in other areas. For example, in the merchant fleet these could be vacancies for captain, navigator, mechanic, electrician, radio operator, cook. Fishing ships are constantly in need of doctors, cooks, bakers, barmaids, waitresses, and laundresses.

Antarctica, according to international treaties and conventions, is not officially anyone's territory. It is prohibited to use this continent for enrichment and economic gain, which is why numerous research stations are located here.

In this regard, work in Antarctica is only available at polar stations belonging to various countries of the world.

These are Russia, Ukraine, Argentina, the USA, Canada, etc. Each of them constantly publishes an up-to-date list of vacancies, applicants for which undergo a serious competitive selection. In particular, to work in Antarctica, you need to obtain permission from a specific country in order to legally stay at the stations. Those who want to work at stations such as:

Peaceful;
Bellingshausen;
Youth;
Novolazarevskaya;
Progress and others.

Alternative options for finding a job are: research station named after Academician Vernadsky, scientific expedition ships, ships and motor ships. They belong to the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute and the Russian Arctic Expedition. The leaders of these institutes created excellent conditions for polar explorers:

Comfortable and cozy cottages;
Hot baths;
Rest rooms;
Bars;
Halls for training and maintaining physical fitness;
Internet and video communication.

Cafe-bar Faraday at the Ukrainian station Akademik Vernadsky

Work in Antarctica is quite difficult, both psychologically and physically, which is why psychologists work at the stations. This allows you to relieve the feeling of discomfort and talk about accumulated problems.

In 2020, research stations require specialists in a variety of fields - from cooking to meteorology.

What are Russian polar explorers researching?

In particular, the most popular vacancies include:

Geologists;
Programmers and system administrators;
Meteorologists;
Doctors, anesthesiologists, traumatologists and surgeons;
Cooks;
Meteorologists-actinometrists;
Geophysicists;
Specialists in the field of ionosphere and aerosphere;
Magnetologists;
Riometrists;
Radar operators;
Workers on equipment used for environmental protection;
Radio engineers to set up modern communication systems;
Engineers;
Hydrologists;
Psychologists;
Mechanics;
Diesel drivers;
Electromechanics;
Drivers of tracked vehicles, bulldozers, tractors, truck cranes;
Electricians and electric and gas welders;
Signalmen;
Computer geeks.

Sled-caterpillar trains in Antarctica. Work of a caterpillar vehicle driver

In addition, scientific expedition vessels, motor ships, and ships are constantly in need of crew members - sailors, captains, senior officers, specialists in maritime professions, engineering, watch officers and mechanics, mechanics, cooks, electricians, electromechanics, and scientists. Such ships carry out months-long expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctica, the Arctic Circle, and the North Pole.

The demand for such vacancies will continue to exist next year, which is associated with the further exploration of Antarctica, observation of various natural phenomena, the formation of new expeditions, and shifts of existing polar explorers whose contracts are ending. Therefore, job applications are accepted all year round, and the list of current vacancies begins to form in May and continues for several months.

Return to Antarctica. Scientific expedition vessel Akademik Fedorov

Anyone can find a job in this region, because most vacancies require more than one person. Each position requires from 6 to 20 people, who are assigned to work at polar stations and ships. Lists of offers are compiled into two groups - for seasonal workers who are willing to spend no more than 6 months in Antarctica; for wintering employees who work on this continent for 1 year.

Polar explorers are traditionally sent out in October, and workers are taken back in March, i.e., six months later. This does not take into account the time of delivery and transportation of people back. In some cases, work in the polar region with travel can take from 12 to 18 months.

Features of work

The emphasis in the work of polar explorers is on conducting research and studying flora and fauna. The remaining employees ensure the vital functions of stations, villages, access to the sea and ocean of expeditionary vessels. Workers are transported to their location at the expense of the employing company, which also provides accommodation and food. Many polar explorers come to wintering grounds more than once, eventually becoming long-time residents of villages and stations.

Staying at stations depends on several circumstances:

How quickly transport can get to Antarctica;
Features of the movement of ships and aircraft;
The occurrence of force majeure circumstances;
How long did the workers arrive to replace other polar explorers?

Requirements for candidates

Polar explorers to work in Antarctica must know English and Spanish, be a confident user of a personal computer and computer equipment, and have excellent health.

Arctic ice reveals new life forms

When agreeing to work in Antarctica, it is worth considering that this is a region where there are difficult living and working conditions. Therefore, the following requirements are imposed on applicants:

Higher education and good qualifications.
Good health.
Communication skills.
The ability is in a confined space for a long time.
You will have to work in small teams (usually about 20 people work at one station, forced to spend a lot of time together).
You need to be away from your home and base for a long time if traveling expeditions are planned.
The most suitable age for working in Antarctica is considered to be people over 25 years old. Applicants whose age does not exceed 45 years are accepted to fill vacancies. In many vacancies, the age of workers can be 25 - 65 years.

Milestone in Antarctica. Polar explorers

You will also need:

driver license,
various certificates confirming the level of qualifications,
availability of a work book, in which appropriate entries must be made about previous places of work.

A positive factor will be the presence of a military ID or rank, and a foreign passport, if you need to travel on ships to the waters of other states.

Based on this, general workers are not accepted on the expedition and at the station, and such vacancies do not appear. Considering working conditions, this step by employers is justified.

Life of a polar explorer in Antarctica

Before departure to Antarctica, each employee undergoes a special medical examination at an appointment with a medical commission. The presence of chronic diseases and bad habits will be an obstacle to getting a job.

When signing a contract, it is worth considering that the work has a high risk of danger and a minimum level of comfort. Therefore, workers must adhere to strict labor discipline, follow a clear organization of work during voyages or field expeditions, be responsible for the work performed and be ready to endure hardships, hardships, and adversity.

According to the terms of the contracts, employers are obliged to provide workers with food, clothing, sanitary and hygienic products, medical insurance, a social package, and guarantees that the previous place of work will be retained by a specific person. Polar explorers themselves only have to pay for the costs of satellite communications in order to talk to their relatives.

An experienced sailor, entering this building on Vasilyevsky Island, will be surprised. He crossed the threshold and - on you - found himself at the central control post of the ship. The height of the ceilings, the location of the lamps and the color of the walls are all the same, not to mention the equipment. Only the “deck” does not swing, and if you lift the roller shutters, you will see behind them not endless icy expanses, but an ordinary courtyard. Although nuclear icebreakers of Project 22220, for which specialists will be trained here at the recently opened Center for Arctic Maritime Competencies, are not yet in the seas. The Baltic Shipyard is still building these floating structures.

The icebreaker “50 Years of Victory” will soon give way to the “Arktika” championship. PHOTO by Lev FEDOSEEV/TASS

Training of engineers for the icebreaker fleet is carried out today only in our city. Moreover, for more than half a century - since the State University of Maritime and River Fleet named after Admiral S. O. Makarov (GUMRF), which everyone knows as Makarovka, a corresponding department appeared. The university teaches students, and the institute of additional professional education (DPE) that opened within it provides knowledge and skills to seafarers who are ready to improve their qualifications.

For the time being, this scheme suited Atomflot, which includes the world’s most powerful ice-class vessels. It was fine until St. Petersburg shipbuilders began building icebreakers of a completely new level. The lead ship “Arktika” of this project was launched the summer before last, and should enter service next year. Two others will appear next.

The Arktika crew will be one of the first to sit at the desks of the center with a total area of about 200 square meters. meters, which appeared at the Vasileostrovskaya site of the State University of Murmansk and Russian Federation. More precisely, in the chairs of the ship’s training complex, which simulates the operation of the Arktika command post and the RITM-200 nuclear power plant designed for it. This technique is much more complex than what sailors had to deal with. And to master it, the Murmansk training center, where the “icebreakers” trained before going out into the icy seas, is no longer enough.

Project 22220 vessels will be able to operate at different depths, pushing apart larger ice with their hulls: they will have asynchronous propeller engines with a total power of 70 megawatts. It will become more difficult to “command” the reactor installed there, but thanks to the high level of automation, presumably 50–60 people will be able to service the entire ship’s facilities. Twice less than on icebreakers of the previous class, clarifies Yuri Guryev, first deputy director of the Institute of Additional Professional Education.

“Here he is - our main “teacher” , - he points to a stretched out large horseshoe stand with monitors, levers and toggle switches. - Five people will be able to practice here, practicing actions to control ship systems in normal mode and in emergency situations. That is, the entire ship's watch: the reactor plant operator, the electrical mechanic, the senior watch mechanic, the chief physicist and the "erbeshnik", a radiation safety specialist" (RB).

The center also includes a so-called functional simulator (two more workstations), where you can move the control levers not “live”, but on the screen using a computer mouse. It is needed in order to, having become proficient, sit down at a real “double” of the central control post and then pass exams at Rostekhnadzor, receiving permission to work at a nuclear ship facility.

Fleet veterans invited to work at GUMRF will be entrusted with leading practical classes. And in the next room, university teachers and outside experts will give lectures to the cadets. For sailors who have experienced the “breath” of the Arctic, and who decide to move from one icebreaker to another, more modern one, and from one position to a higher one, the duration of the course will be 320 hours. Beginners will have to do a lot more work, explains Guryev.

Classes at the center will begin in January next year. By that time, a package of training programs and teaching materials will have to be prepared. We also need to complete the setup of a unique training complex, which was created by specialists from the A.P. Alexandrov Scientific Research Technological Institute located in Sosnovy Bor.

But even later, the developers will not stop “patronizing” their brainchild, improving it as the Arctic nuclear-powered ships of the new project develop. Although this goes without saying. Another thing is more curious: the new center was opened in a room that was completely occupied by the university laboratory of turbomachinery. And even earlier, there were units there that generated electricity for Vasilievsky Island, also quite sophisticated for their time. So the connection of times in this sense is quite obvious.

OUR HELP. New generation nuclear icebreakers of the 22220 series (the project was developed by the Iceberg central design bureau commissioned by Atomflot) will operate at the mouths of northern rivers and provide year-round navigation along the entire Northern Sea Route, mainly for the delivery of hydrocarbon products to the markets of Europe and Asia.

The appearance of such vessels, designed to overcome ice up to three meters thick at a sustainable speed, will allow Russia to strengthen its strategic positions in the Arctic zone. In 2019, the Arktika, named after the Project 10520 icebreaker of the same name, which was the first to conquer the North Pole in 1977, will go into operation. In a year, the Sibir is expected to begin operating, and the third vessel of the Ural project is planned to be commissioned in 2021 - 2022.

Crew training for these ships is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the international Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) of 1978 and in accordance with quality standards.