Lead nuclear-powered icebreaker of Project 22220, Arktika, left for sea trials
The lead nuclear-powered icebreaker of Project 22220, the Arktika, ordered by State Corporation “Rosatom” has left for sea trials today, 12 December 2019, says FSUE Atomflot. The ship left the berth of Baltiysky Zavod shipyard in Saint-Petersburg for the Gulf of Finland.
“Multipurpose nuclear-powered icebreakers of Project 22220 are fitted with modern systems of electric propulsion, - said Mustafa Kashka, General Director of FSUE Atomflot. – The purpose of the sea trials is the validation of electric propulsion algorithm and testing of the icebreaker maneuverability when powered by emergency diesel generators”.
During the trials, specialists will test the ballast system, navigation equipment, life support system, anchor-handling gear and boat launching.
The icebreaker is to return to the berth on December 14 with the final phase of sea trials scheduled for March-April 2020.
The lead icebreaker of Project 22220, the Arktika, being built to the class of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, was laid down at Baltiysky Zavod shipyard on 5 November 2013 and launched on 16 June 2016.
General characteristics of 22220 Project vessels: capacity - 60 MW, operational speed - 22 knots (clean water), length - 173.3 m (160 m, DWL), beam - 34 m (33 m, DWL), depth - 15.2 m; draft (DWL) - 10.5 m; minimum draft - 8.65 m, maximum icebreaking capability - 2.9-meter-thick ice (at full capacity and speed of 1.5-2 knots); full displacement – 33,540 tonnes; designated service life - 40 years.
Nuclear-powered icebreakers of Project 22220 are equipped with two RITM-200 reactors of 175 MW. Project 22220 ships will be the world’s largest and most powerful nuclear-powered icebreakers (60MW). The vessels’ dual-draft concept allows for operating them both in the Arctic and in the mouths of the polar rivers.
The icebreaker will be powered by two RITM-200 reactors of 175 MW. The system of the new generation was developed specially for this ship. The vessels dual-draft concept and capability will allow operating them both in the Arctic and in the mouths of the polar rivers.
The icebreakers designed by CDB Iceberg in 2009 will be operated in the western region of the Arctic: in the Barents, Pechora and Kara Seas, as well as in shallower areas of the Yenisei estuary and the Ob Bay area.
Saint-Petersburg, Russia based Baltiysky Zavod Shipyard (Baltic Shipyard) was established in 1856 and today is a 100% subsidiary of the state-owned conglomerate United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), established by order of the Russian Government. The shipyard specializes in the construction of Rank 1 surface crafts, ice class vessels with nuclear and diesel-electric propulsion, of nuclear floating energy units and floating distilling plants. Baltic Shipyard has built over 600 ships and vessels. The shipyard employs more than 6,000 people.
