MOSCOW, December 6. /TASS/. The oceanographic research ship Admiral Vladimisky of the Russian Navy has completed a port visit to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) as part of an unprecedented expedition to the shores of Antarctica, Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo said on Sunday.

"The vessel’s crew had an opportunity to rest, food and water supplies were replenished to required norms," he said.

The mission is carried out for the first time in more than 30 years. The vessel left Kronstadt (near St.Petersburg) on November 6 and has covered more than 4,000 miles. This month it will cross the Equator and will return to Kronstadt next April.

In the course of the expedition, the vessel will conduct marine research with a view to updating nautical and international hydrographic charts.

Visits to other foreign ports are planned. The vessel is carrying capsules with Russian soil, which will be placed in the areas of military glory and burial sites of Russian sailors at ports of call.