ARKHANGELSK, September 28. /TASS/. Specialists of the Arctic Floating University anticipate the Professor Molchanov scientific-research vessel's return to Russia, the University's leader, Director of the Lomonosov Arctic Northern Federal University's Strategic Development Institute Alexander Saburov told TASS.

"The Professor Molchanov is an optimal vessel for complex Arctic scientific expeditions, such as the Arctic Floating University Expedition," the scientist said. "She has a remarkable combination of comfortable accommodation on board for up to 55 expedition members, laboratory facilities for various types of work, as well as cranes and winches necessary for conducting research. The vessel's ice class provides for confident work in the Barents Sea and in most waters of the Northern Sea Route during summer and autumn navigation. The Professor Molchanov is convenient also in terms of conducting ground research, as it offers conditions to organize quickly landings by using small vessels. And finally, over the years of the Arctic Floating University, we have built cooperation with the ship's crew, who know and understand very well what the expedition needs."

The Arctic Floating University is the only annual expedition that operates in the northeastern part of the Barents Sea and in the territory of the Russian Arctic National Park during the spring and summer period. Thus, researchers have been accumulating unique data series on this important part of the Russian Arctic.

In 2021, the Arctic Floating University gained successful experience working onboard the Mikhail Somov scientific expedition vessel, where the main advantage is that the vessel has an option to have a helicopter on board, the expedition leader said. By using it, the expedition is able to organize landings even in conditions of unrest at sea, when using boats is not possible.

"It is necessary to take into account that every year the Mikhail Somov works on a tight schedule, delivering supplies to polar stations located from the White Sea to Chukotka. Another aspect is the higher level of cost to use such a big vessel for our expeditions. We very much hope for a successful settlement of the situation and that the Professor Molchanov returns most promptly to Russia, but anyway we will eye all possible alternatives to continue voyages of the Arctic Floating University," the expedition leader said in conclusion.

The 20th voyage of the Arctic Floating University scientific and educational expedition continued from July 1 to July 22, 2026 on board the Professor Molchanov scientific research vessel. The expedition organizers are: the Lomonosov Northern Arctic Federal University and the Northern Department for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Sevhydromet). The project's official sponsors and partners are: the Russian Federation's Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Russian Geographical Society, general sponsor - VTB, the Norilsk Nickel Company, and the Floating University Coordination Center based at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT).