United Shipbuilding Corporation, its subsidiary Baltiysky Zavod JSC (Baltic Shipyard), has won the contract worth $1.6 Bln for the construction of icebreaker LK-60 of 22220 Project with the capacity of 60 MW.
To successfully operate in the Arctic, Russia is constantly developing and improving atomic icebreaking fleet which represents the key element of the Northern Sea Route infrastructure. For this purpose the new generation of atomic icebreaker is about to be build (LK-60 ). This icebreaker will have the overall power of 60 MW with variable draught (from 8,5 m to 10,8 m) and will be able to replace 1 icebreaker of Arktika and 1 icebreaker of Taimyr type.
As portnews portal reports, FSUE Atomflot invited bids for the icebreaker contract on July 3, 2012. Under the turn-key contract terms, Baltic Shipyard is to complete the order by December 30, 2017 and dock the newbuild at the berth of FSUE Atomflot in Murmansk.
The keel-laying of the new icebreaker is scheduled for November 2013, launching ceremony for November 2015. The scope of work includes: development of technical documents, the construction (including the installation of nuclear power plant), outfitting, launching, on-dock testing, sea and icebreaking trials and the newbuild acceptance certificate signing by the state committee.
The icebreaker LK-60 of project 22220 will be the largest and most powerful icebreaker in the world. Ship’s main characteristics: length overall – 173.3 m, beam molded – 34 meters, draft at DWL – 10.5 m, minimum loaded draft – 8.55 m, displacement – 33.54 tons. The new generation double-reactor plant “RHYTHM 200″ designed by Rosatom’s “OKBM” has reactors of thermal capacity of 170 MW each – more than that of the plants used in modern nuclear icebreakers (140-150 MW).
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, August 7, 2012; Image: Rosatomflot