Ministry of Transport may hold a tender for new icebreaker in 2010

23.11.2010 Russian Ministry of Transport may issue a tender for a new generation nuclear-powered multipurpose icebreaker till the current year is over, reported RIA Novosti citing the project chief designer Vladimir Vorobiov, Iceberg Design Bureau.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin previously tasked Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Finance, and Rosatom to consider construction of three new-gen nuclear icebreakers till 2020 with keel-laying of the first one in 2011. United Shipbuilding Corporation declared at governmental Maritime Board's session early Oct that it is capable to build icebreakers under new projects in Murmansk.

"Formerly, we had to use two icebreakers. One sailed along deep-water routes; another one, shallow-draft icebreaker sailed through rapids and could enter river mouths. A project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreaker is capable to vary draft from 8.5 to 10.5 meters", said Vorobiov.

The new generation icebreaker is designed for year-round works in the West Arctic including the Barents, the Pechora, the Kara seas; and in the East Arctic during summer-autumn period. The icebreaker's operational range is not limited; full speed at open water and full-load displacement is 20 knots. The vessel is capable to break up to 2.9-meter thick ice; with minimal draft at shallow-waters – up to 2.4-meter ice.

According to the project, the icebreaker is equipped with fast-acting ballasting system which changes the ship's draft from maximum to minimum value in four hours. This is needed while ice pilotage in Arctic seas, and in shallow waters of the Yenisei River and the Gulf of Ob, explained Vorobiov.

"The nuclear icebreaker can operate with other lead ships by contact methods – pushing and aboard towing. This ship is designed to render help to vessels in ice and at open water, salvage works, towage, and icebreaking assistance including those at shallow waters", said Vorobiov.

He pointed out that ten nuclear-powered vessels have been built through years of Soviet/Russian icebreaking operations – nine icebreakers and one lighter-aboard ship Sevmorput.

As of today, three nuclear-powered icebreakers have been removed from service – Lenin (the first one, laid down in 1956), Sibir, and Arktika.

In prospect, it is planned to build three dual-draft icebreakers (first of them is expected to be launched in 2016), and six diesel electric icebreakers. Each vessel is meant for 40 years of service.