Icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn and two bulk carriers forced to stay for winter anchorage at Chukotka (photo)
Icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn and two bulk carriers, Sinegorsk and Iogann Makhmastal, are forced by severe Arctic conditions to stay for the winter period at Chukotka. According to the statement of FSUE Rosmorport, icebreakers Admiral Makarov and Kapitan Dranitsyn can break through the ice barrier but escorting of vessels with ice class Arc 5 is risky.
“It is not an emergency situation. Winter anchorage is a positive practice to prevent incidents associated with severe ice conditions,” says the statement.
The convoy of two icebreakers of FSUE Rosmorport, Admiral Makarov and Kapitan Dranitsyn, and two bulk carriers, Sinegorsk and Iogann Makhmastal, came to the port of Pevek on 7 January 2017. The convoy covered over 2,100 n.m. from the Kara Gate strait and delivered materials and components for construction of the coastal infrastructure for the world’s first floating nuclear heat and power plant (FNHPP) Akademik Lomonosov.
On 13 January 2017, upon completion of the unloading operations, the convoy left the port of Pevek but faced a barrier of heavy ice at the exit from the Chaunskaya Guba bay.
According to the statement, the icebreakers of FSUE Rosmorport could break through that 4-5 mile barrier but escorting of two ballast ships with ice class Arc 5 could mean risk of damage that could harm both the crew and the environment.
Therefore it was decided to leave the two bulk carriers near the port of Pevek for the entire winter period. The beginning of summer navigation in the Arctic is expected in late May – early June 2017. To ensure safe winter anchorage in the Chaunskaya Guba bay the Kapitan Dranitsyn will also stay there. The Admiral Makarov moved eastwards for further activities in the interest of FSUE Rosmorport.
Dry cargo carriers assisted by Rosmorport’s icebreakers Admiral Makarov and Kapitan Dranitsyn delivered some 10,000 t of general cargo for construction of the berth of FNHPP Akademik Lomonosov. The berth is to be completed in 2018. FNHPP Akademik Lomonosov will ensure efficient energy supply to the remote Far North regions
Navigation in Pevek is usually closed in November. This time it was extended for uninterrupted supply of construction materials.
Related links:
Port Pevek (Chukotka) welcomes first vessels delivering materials and equipment for floating nuclear power plant >>>>
Construction of coastal infrastructure for world’s first floating NPP starts in Chukotka (photo) >>>>
