Russian flag raised on the Aleksandr Sannikov icebreaker
Flag raising on the Aleksandr Sannikov icebreaker has been held today, 29 June 2018, at the Angliyskaya embankment in Saint-Petersburg. According to IAA PortNews correspondent, it was followed by a farewell ceremony as the icebreaker is about to set sail for the maiden voyage to the Arctic.
As Vadim Yakovlev, First Deputy CEO of PJSC Gazprom Neft, said at the ceremony, “one of the key tasks ensuring transportation of hydrocarbons produced by the company in the Arctic region is icebreaker assistance. The icebreaker delivered to the company today will be a new flagship of Gazprom Neft’s Arctic fleet”.
Aleksey Rakhmanov, President of United Shipbuilding Corporation, commented in his turn: “This icebreaker opens the Arctic gate for USC. Remarkably, the delivery of this unique vessel takes place on 29 June, a professional holiday of Russian shipbuilders. Besides, it is the most powerful diesel-electric icebreaker built by Russian shipyards to date”.Aleksey Rakhmanov also emphasized that the ship construction was based on a large share of domestic competences.
According to Aleksandr Solovyov, Director General of Vyborg Shipyard, it took 2 years and 8 months to build the ship.
The next icebreaker of this project, named Andrey Vilkitsky, will be delivered to Gazprom Neft in the end of October 2018.
The ship built by Vyborg Shipyard (a company of USC) to the order of Gazprom Neft will assist tankers in the Northern Sea Route waters and contribute to the development of Europe-Asia shipping taking into consideration domestic projects on production of Arctic oil.
The Aleksandr Sannikov is the most sophisticated diesel-electric icebreaker in Russia. It features an advanced maneuvering system, power supply automation, state-of-the-art radionavigation and remote control of electronics.
Besides, it is the first icebreaker in Russia to have an advanced automatic control system able to control the engine plant for several days (automatic pilot system).
The Aleksandr Sannikov will improve the efficiency and sustainability of round-the-year transportation of oil from the world’s only terminal in fresh waters above the Arctic Circle.
In terms of performance, the new icebreaker is highly competitive with nuclear-powered icebreaking ships and even exceeds them with higher maneuverability and lower energy consumption. The icebreaker’s hull shape is unique allowing for the ship to cut ice and to make a 360 degree turn within a minute.
Vessel's concept project is made by Aker Arctic Technology, working-design documentation is performed by Petrobalt Design Bureau.
Vyborg Shipyard is building two 22 MW icebreaking support ships based on Aker ARC 130 A design. The ships ordered by Gazprom Neft are to be deployed at the Arctic terminal operated by LLC Gazprom Neft Novy Port and located in the Gulf of Ob (Yamal peninsula).
The vessels are intended for escorting of tankers, assistance during mooring, loading and rescue operations, providing tugging assistance, firefighting, participation in oil spill response activities.
The ship can move with a speed of 2 knots in consolidated ice of up to 2.0 m thick with a 30-cm snow cover, both bow first and stern first.
Major characteristics: LOA – 121.7 m; BOA – about 26 m; waterline beam - 25 m; depth – 11.5 m; draft – 8 m.
Class notation by Russian Maritime Register of Shipping - KM Icebreaker8 AUT1-ICS FF1WS DYNPOS-2 EPP ANTI-ICE ECO SDS<12 Winterization(-50) Tug.
Main vessel's purposes are as follows: tankers' conveyance between Sabetta port and Kamenny Cape in the Gulf of Ob at ice conditions; tankers' conveyance to cargo region of oil export terminal (sea mooring system) at ice conditions; security support during mooring and tankers' loading.
The lead ship of Project IBSV01, the Aleksandr Sannikov (hull No 233) was laid down on 3 November 2015 and launched on 24 November 2016.
Keel-laying of the second ship named Andrey Vilkitsky (hull No 234) was held on 14 December 2015, launching – on 5 July 2017.
