Valid from August 1 through September 30, 2025, the permit was issued by Russia’s Northern Sea Route Administration (GlavSevmorput), allowing the Lurssen superyacht to operate in the Chukchi Sea, an area normally off-limits to most private vessels.
Nord was delivered by Lürssen in 2021 and has since drawn international attention for both her polar-ready design and shifting operational pattern. Initially flagged to the Cayman Islands, the yacht spent her early years in the Caribbean. Following sanctions in 2022, she ceased AIS transmissions for eight months and was reflagged to Russia to avoid seizure.
Since then, Nord has remained largely within Russian waters, regularly seen along the Pacific coastline and Far East. Over the past three summers, she has made repeated visits to marine reserves and national parks including Kronotsky, Komandorsky, Beringia, and Shantar Islands.
After arriving in Vladivostok from the Indian Ocean in June 2025, she carried out short voyages to nearby protected areas and, as of mid-July, remains anchored in Amur Bay.
Inside the 142m Superyacht Nord
With a staggering gross tonnage of 10,154 GT, Nord is one of the most technically capable and visually distinctive superyachts afloat. Designed by Nuvolari Lenard, she features an ice-class steel hull, twin helipads, and a sweeping arching superstructure that sets her apart from anything else on the water.
Built for long-range expeditions and self-sufficiency, the motor yacht features include a 25-meter swimming pool, a hangar-convertible squash court, a submarine and ROV, and a fleet of tenders up to 15 meters in length. A dedicated diving center, spa, cinema, and beach club ensure guests experience comfort regardless of how remote the location.
Accommodation is spread across 20 suites for up to 36 guests, with a private owner’s deck and a full crew of 42. Her bow-mounted nameplate and bold styling hint at military design, but the interiors are focused on wellness, privacy, and luxury. With four MTU engines and zero-speed stabilizers, Nord is engineered for smooth cruising even in the world’s most challenging conditions.
With an internal volume of 10,154 GT. Nord ranks 13th in the YachtBuyer YB100 by gross tonnage, and remains one of the world's biggest yachts more than four years after her delivery.
Ice-Class Yachts: What Makes Them Different?
Yachts built to operate in cold climates must meet specific structural and engineering standards to be certified as ice class. These vessels are not icebreakers, but they are designed to handle conditions far beyond what a standard steel-hulled superyacht could tolerate.
Key distinctions include:
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Additional framing and internal bracing to absorb structural stress.
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Ice-optimized bow shapes that ride over or push through soft ice and slush.
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Protected propulsion systems, often with reinforced rudders and propellers.
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Cold-weather readiness, including heating systems for exterior decks, windows, and fluid systems
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Reinforced hull plating, especially along the forward waterline, where impacts with sea ice are most likely.
This engineering enables access to polar or subpolar regions during short summer windows, when ice coverage recedes but can still pose navigational challenges.
Arctic Voyaging in Focus
Nord’s upcoming Arctic journey follows previous sightings near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and nature reserves in the Bering Sea. Her planned route includes Wrangel Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for polar bears, walrus colonies, and Arctic foxes. These voyages the highlight the operational reality of true global cruising.
For buyers considering yachts with ice-class hulls or Polar Code compliance, this is a moment worth watching. Whether opting for purpose-built expedition yachts with enhanced hulls and routing systems, the ability to go further is becoming a key part of modern ownership.
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