Russian yard to build multipurpose nuclear-powered icebreaker

A new multipurpose nuclear-powered icebreaker with enhanced performance characteristics is set to be built by Russia’s Baltic Shipyard, after a plan approval agreement was signed by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS).

A statement by RS said that the new vessel would be an improvement on the previous generation of Arctic icebreakers. Power on the vessels will be increased by 20 percent up to 60MW and displacement increased by 1.7 times.

A new design concept will also enable the icebreaker to operate at two working drafts, both in deep water areas of the Arctic (Barents, Pechora and Kara Seas included) and in the estuaries of Siberian rivers such as the Yenisei and Ob.

Two novel type reactor plants will also power the icebreaker. RS said that they would have enhanced performance characteristics compared to plants presently operated by the nuclear fleet, with the main equipment life between yard repairs increased by 70 percent. The plant mass has also been reduced 1.7 times and the core refuelling period for the fuel unit will be increased to seven years according to RS.

RS said that it will survey the construction of the icebreaker as well as overseeing mooring tests and trials. After construction, RS will continue the survey whilst the vessel is in operation.

Towards the end of last year, the Baltic Shipyard embarked on the construction of the largest icebreaker set to be built, which will also be propelled by up to 60MW of nuclear power.

RS said that the new icebreaker will be commissioned by the end of 2017.