Next-generation icebreakers Andrei Vilkitsky and Alexander Sannikov, built on the orders of Gazprom Neft, have begun their joint work in the Arctic, the company's press release says.

"Their tandem has strengthened the logistics of the all-year-round oil transportation from the Arctic Gates terminal to the floating storage unit in the Kola Bay, from where hydrocarbons are delivered to the global market in standard tankers," the company announced.

This January, the Andrei Vilkitsky icebreaker completed a crossing of the Northern Sea Route and joined the Alexander Sannikov. The icebreakers' task within the Arctic logistics is to provide security and ensure effective operation of the tanker fleet near the Arctic Gates terminal that offloads oil from the Novoportovskoye oil field in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area all year round. The Novy Port project is a developing Arctic asset of Gazprom Neft, and the volume of extraction there grew by more than 40 percent last year, according to RIA Novosti.

"The Arctic exploration already makes up more than 20 percent of the total volume that the company extracts. In its development strategy for the period up to 2030, Gazprom Neft focuses on development in this region, so it is important for us to increase our logistic capacities. Our own icebreakers will ensure the continuous and effective operation of the Arctic oil transportation system, which will create new prospects for the further exploration of the oil fields in the area," the press release says, citing Gazprom Neft Deputy CEO Vadim Yakovlev.