[1] The ship was given the name Polar Pevek (Russian: Полар Певек) on 2 June 2006 with Joanne Marie Harley as its sponsor.

[1] Few months after delivery,[8] Polar Pevek was reflagged to Russia and stationed at the De-Kastri terminal where the icebreaker's primary task was to assist shuttle tankers transporting oil from the Sakhalin-I project.

[9] Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, GC Rieber Shipping started the process of exiting its business in Russia.

[12][13] After having been reflagged to Cyprus and given a new name, Polar Circle sailed from the Russian Far East through the Panama Canal and, during the second half of 2022, visited various cities along the Atlantic coast of the United States and Canada.

In February 2023, GC Rieber Shipping acquired the full ownership of Polar Circle after entering into an agreement with the joint venture partner, Maas Capital Offshore, to purchase its 50% share of the vessel.

[17][18][19] In April 2024, the Swedish Maritime Administration announced that the new icebreaker would be named Idun after Iðunn, the goddess associated with apples and youth in the Norse mythology.