Atomflot Inks Contract for Another Two Nuclear-Powered Icebreakers

FSUE Atomflot (Rosatomflot), a Russian icebreaker operator and part of Rosatom, has signed a contract for the construction of the fourth and fifth nuclear-powered icebreakers with JSC Baltic Shipyard. 

The agreement for the project 22220 vessels was signed in Murmansk on August 23, 2019.

As informed, the order is valued at more than RUB 100 billion (USD 1.5 billion). The construction of the ship duo will be partially funded by the Russian government and partially by Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation and Atomflot.

Atomflot said that the fourth and fifth icebreaking newbuilds are scheduled to be delivered in December 2024 and December 2026, respectively.

Mustafa Kashka, General Director of FSUE Atomflot, explained that the demand for the nuclear icebreaker fleet in the Northern Sea Route (NSR) is growing in line with the pace of cargo flow. According to him, this means that the era of the newest nuclear icebreakers is continuing.

The project 22220, aimed at strengthening Russia’s presence in the Arctic, initially comprised three nuclear-powered icebreakers – Arktika, Sibir and Ural. In 2018, the company revealed the intention to order two more identical icebreakers, confirming the order in August.

Once completed, each of the 33,540-ton vessels will have a length of 173.3 meters and a width of 34 meters. Crewed by 53 people, they will be able to reach a speed of 22 knots.

The project 22220 ships are the largest icebreakers in the world, capable of breaking through ice as thick as three meters. They would play a key role in ensuring year-round navigation on the NSR and transporting the planned cargo volumes of 80 million tons by 2024.

World Maritime News Staff