Russia: Vyborg Shipyard Lays Keel for Another Sea-Going Icebreaker

On December 26 Vyborg Shipyard laid keel of the hull of yet another vessel in a package of three 16MW sea-going diesel-powered icebreakers of Project 21900M.

Currently, Vyborg Shipyard and Finland’s Arctech Helsinki Shipyard (as a subcontractor) are executing jointly a turn-key contract for two icebreakers of the project.

“We have long been working with the Finnish shipyard, and I am sure that we will, in conjunction with it, successfully and in time complete the construction of the icebreaker. Actually, the work distribution is as follows: the general contract was placed with Vyborg Shipyard. We are responsible for virtually all purchases, technical project development, and fabrication of about half of all hull blocks.

Then the finished blocks will be shipped to Finland, where possibly, with the assistance of the Vyborg workers, the hulls will be formed from the blocks. The same yard will execute outfitting, pre-commissioning and sea trials,” said Vyborg Shipyard CEO Alexander Soloviev.

Icebreaker of Project 21900M, a continuation of Project 21900, is a double-decked vessel of unlimited navigation area, has a helipad and is equipped with twin controllable-pitch screws, twin rudders and bow thruster. Icebreaker’s propulsion system has rated power of 17MW.

The icebreaker will be able to cut channels in the 1.5-m-thick ice. The ships will be utilized for escort of large-tonnage cargo vessels, towing, fire fighting on floating structures and other facilities. Two newbuilds are scheduled for delivery in May and October 2015.

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Vyborg Shipyard, December 27, 2012