MURMANSK, February 21. /TASS/. The Russian icebreakers in 2016 escorted twice more vessels in the Arctic year-on-year, press service of the Atomflot (nuclear fleet) Company said on Tuesday.

"In 2016, the icebreakers escorted along the Northern Sea Route 410 vessels of the total capacity of 5.2 million tons," the press service said. "Back in 2015, they escorted 195 vessels of two million tons’ capacity."

Most transport services are related to development of new deposits in the Arctic. Thus, the company has been ordering new vessels. In 2016, it ordered from Kranship a new icebreaking tug, Yuribei, of project T40105 and another one of project T3687. The agreements were signed under the investment project on the port fleet to serve Yamal LNG.

Under the project, services will be provided at the Sabetta port by two port tugs, two icebreaking tugs and one port icebreaker. All the vessels are being made at Russian shipbuilding facilities. First two tugs were produced ahead of the plan in April-May, 2016, and the other three vessels are due to be ready as planned - before late November, 2018.