Baltiysky Zavod to Build New Generation Icebreaker

06.08.2012 Rosatom on Friday Aug 3, 2012 appointed JSC Baltiysky Zavod Shipbuilding executor of a contract for construction of a new-generation 60-MW icebreaker.

On July 3, state-led company Atomflot issued a tender for construction of Project 22220 lead icebreaker with new RITM-200 type nuclear powerplant. The contract value is RUR 36.959 bln. The only eligible tenderer was JSC Baltiysky Zavod Shipbuilding. Thus, in accordance to the Federal Law No. 94-F?, the tender was canceled on Aug 3, and the only tenderer was declared the contract executor.

According to the contract terms, Baltiysky Zavod Shipbuilding must build turnkey icebreaker and deliver it to the pier of Atomflot in Murmansk no later than Dec 30, 2017. In accordance with the approved schedule, the icebreaker will be laid down in Nov 2013 and launched in Nov 2015.

Volume of works includes technical documentation development, construction of the icebreaker (including integration of nuclear powerplant), fitting of the ship with all appropriate equipment, launching, dockside/sea/ice trials, and acceptance of the turnkey ship by state commission.

Project 22220 icebreaker LK-60 will be the largest and the most powerful in the world. Her length will be 173.3 meters, beam – 34 meters, draft at design waterline – 10.5 meters, minimum working draft – 8.55 meters, displacement – 33,540 tons. The icebreaker will be powered by two nuclear reactors; basic steam source is 175-MW reactor plant RITM-200.

Double draft design of the ship makes possible to use it both in Arctic latitudes and polar rivers. The icebreaker will work in the western Arctic, i.e. in the Barents, the Pechora, and the Kara seas, as well as more shallow waters of the Yenisei River and the Gulf of Ob.

"It stands to reason that the new generation icebreaker will be built by Baltiysky Zavod", comments Alexander Voznesensky, Director General of JSC Baltiysky Zavod Shipbuilding. "First, we're the only shipyard in Russia that has been building such ships through the recent 50 years. Second, only our yard can build nuclear icebreaker with power of 60 megawatt without capital investments. Third, we're the only company licensed to build LK-60 icebreakers", said the director. As for him, this largest contract of Baltiysky Zavod's backlog will play the key role in financial recovery of the strategic company.