Sovcomflot Group’s (SCF) Anichkov Bridge is the first large capacity tanker to transit the Northern Sea Route this year. The 47,000 – dwt MR vessel completed her voyage along the route on August 18, 2014, the Russian shipping company said.

According to SCF, the Russian-flagged Anichkov Bridge performed a westward ballast passage in the water area of the Northern Sea Route.

The tanker is heading for port Vysotsk (Gulf of Finland), where she will be loaded with dark oil products for North Eastern Shipping Company Ltd.

The tanker is fitted with all available means of communication including satellite communication (Glonass and GPS). The vessel is under technical management of Sovcomflot’s subsidiary Unicom (Saint-Petersburg).

Icebreaking assistance was provided to the Anichkov Bridge by icebreaker Vaygach of FSUE Atomflot.

As informed, ice conditions during the voyage were more severe than it is typical for this period of time.