The vessel would be fitted with a new type of propulsion system and, following extensive development work carried out by the shipyard's Arctic Research Centre, feature high icebreaking capability despite its small size and shallow draft.

[1] Instead of being launched from a slipway or floated out from a dry dock, the 400-ton vessel was lowered to the water using the shipyard's cranes in late 1994.

The hull form follows the design of very shallow draft river icebreakers with a wide cylindrical bow similar to those found in landing crafts.

The low-profile deckhouse is only 6 metres (20 ft) high[2] and provides accommodation for up to ten people, but normally the vessel carried a crew of three.

She was also the first vessel with Azipod units in pulling configuration where the propellers are facing forwards to improve efficiency and icebreaking performance.