Largest Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker Hits the Water

Baltic Shipyard Russias shipbuilder Baltic Shipyard launched the largest nuclear-powered icebreaker Arktika on June 16 in Saint-Petersburg, according to the company. As the first vessel in a series of three of the Project 22220, Arktika is set to replace nuclear ships of the previous generation. The project, which was launched in November 2013, is estimated to be worth around RUB 122 billion (USD 1.87 billion). Featuring a length of 173 meters and a width of 34 meters, Arktika is expected to start operations in 2017. The nuclear-powered ship will be capable of breaking ice of up to 3 meters thick, making way for LNG carriers transporting Russian gas. Equipped with a two-reactor power plant, the icebreaker would be deployed in the western region of the Arctic the Barents, Pechora and Kara Seas, as well as the Yenisei and Ob Bay area. The remaining two vessels of the series, namely, Siberia and Urals, will also be built at Baltic Shipyards facilities. World Maritime News Staff