 "Akademik Sergey Vavilov" started operations as a research vessel of Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the USSR Academy of Science (Russian Academy of Science since 1991) in the USSR on 20 March 1989, and prior to 7 November 1999, completed five research cruises into Norwegian Sea, North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean.In recent times she has served as cruise ship specializing in Polar cruises.She is managed by International Shipping Partners and her current port of registry is Kaliningrad, Russia.