Finland: Construction starts for Russia-bound stand-by icebreaker

Arctech Helsinki Shipyard last week started the construction of the hull of of the first icebreaking stand-by vessel it is building for a Russian client.

Newbuilding 512 is the first of three icebreaking stand-by ships Russia’s largest shipping company Sovcomflot has ordered. Vessels will be operating in the North East Sakhalin Offshore region oil and gas field where they will serve the operator of Sakhalin-2, Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd. (SEIC).
The icebreaking stand-by vessels are designed for stand-by and rescue duties and for oil spill recovery. They can also be used as supply vessels for cargo transfer and also act as diving support vessels as they are outfitted with a moon pool. The vessels measure about 100 m in length and 21,7 m in breadth.

The four diesel generator engines have the total power of about 21 000 kW and the propulsion power of the vessel is 13 000 kW. The design fulfils the demanding requirements set forth by SEIC for operating conditions and environmental features. The vessel also has a total accommodation capacity of 98 persons onboard.

The vessels will be operating in thick drifting ice for ice management and icebreaking in temperatures as cold as minus 35 C°. The icebreaking capability of the stand-by vessels is extremely high, this shipbuilder says, adding the vessels are able to proceed independently in 1.7 meter thick ice.

The design and production of the stand-by vessels are provided by Arctech. The vessel represents a new ship concept and expands the arctic product fleet of Arctech. The newbuilding 512 will be delivered in the end of 2016.