the ship
M/V Polar Pioneer

The MV Polar Pioneer has been reborn and will be reintroduced to polar waters starting in Svalbard 2022.
The Polar Pioneer is one of 10 Akademik Shuleykin-class Russian ships built in the mid-1980s in Finland for the Soviet Union’s oceanographic research purposes. Around half of these vessels ended up as chartered polar expeditions ships.
Today, only three are still in operation, with Polar Pioneer being the only one in the Atlantic, Arctic and Antarctic Peninsula.
For all charter inqueries
Please visit our partners Polar Pioneer Management AS

Ship Specifications
• Length: 71.6m
• Beam: 12.8 metres
• Draft: 4.5m
• Gross tonnage: 1753
• Cruising Speed: 10 knots
• Built: 1982
• Refurbished: 2000
• Passengers: 53
• Staff: 10-12
• Crew: 23
• Cabins: 26
• Decks: 4
• Registry: Cyprus
• Voltage: 220v. European round, two pin plug
Ice-strengthened hull
The vessel is classed with Ice class equivalent to 1A which enables her to cruise through ice infested waters safely.
Lounge bar & two dining rooms
Cozy areas to enjoy a drink, edit your photos from the days expedition and hang out with your fellow passengers and crew.
Spacious viewing platforms and decks
Enjoy the astonishing views from the comfort of the platform deck or snap some photos from around the deck.
Fleet of inflatable Zodiacs
Our Zodiacs will safely transport you to various places on shore for an even closer wildlife experience.
Ice-strengthened hull
The vessel is classed with Ice class equivalent to 1A which enables her to cruise through ice infested waters safely.
Lounge bar & two dining rooms
Cozy areas to enjoy a drink, edit your photos from the days expedition and hang out with your fellow passengers and crew.
Spacious viewing platforms and decks
Enjoy the astonishing views from the comfort of the platform deck or snap some photos from around the deck.
Fleet of inflatable Zodiacs
Our Zodiacs will safely transport you to various places on shore for an even closer wildlife experience.
Specifications
• Length: 71.6m
• Beam: 12.8 metres
• Draft: 4.5m
• Gross tonnage: 1753
• Cruising Speed: 10 knots
• Built: 1982
• Refurbished: 2000
• Passengers: 53
• Staff: 10-12
• Crew: 23
• Cabins: 26
• Decks: 4
• Registry: Cyprus
• Voltage: 220v. European round, two pin plug
Current Location
Polar Pioneer’s current location in an interactive map