MT Varzuga

Varzuga anchored in Northern Dvina River in 2018
History
Finland
NameUikku
Owner
  • Neste Oyj (1977–1993)
  • Laivanisännistöyhtiö Nemarc (1993–1994)
  • Laivanisännistöyhtiö Uikku (1994–2003)
Operator
  • Neste Oyj (1977–1993)
  • Arctic Shipping Services (Nemarc) (1993–2003)
Port of registryNaantali, Finland
OrderedFebruary 1973
BuilderWerft Nobiskrug GmbH (Rendsburg, Germany)
Yard number689
Laid down15 February 1977
Launched2 July 1977
Completed31 October 1977
In service1977–2003
FateSold to Russia in 2003
Russia
NameVarzuga (Варзуга)
Owner
Port of registry
In service2003–2020
Identification
FateSold for scrap in 2021
General characteristics (after refit)
TypeProduct tanker
Tonnage
Displacement22,654 t (22,296 long tons)
Length164.40 m (539 ft) (overall)
Beam22.22 m (73 ft)
Draught9.55 m (31 ft)
Depth12.00 m (39 ft)
Ice class
Installed power
PropulsionDiesel electric; 11.4 MW Azipod unit
Speed17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Capacity8 cargo tanks, 16,215 m3 (98%)

MT Varzuga (Russian: Варзуга) was an ice-strengthened product tanker that sailed under the Finnish flag in 1977–2003 and under the Russian flag in 2003–2021. After her modernization in 1993, she became the first merchant ship to be equipped with Azipod, an electric azimuthing propulsion unit developed in Finland in the late 1980s. She was also the first non-Soviet ship to transit the Northern Sea Route.