The LK-60 vessel is to be the mightiest icebreaker in the world. On November 5 the Baltic Shipyard territory was crowded, welcoming the chief representatives of Rosatom, members of Saint-Petersburg city administration, mass media representatives. They all came to see the laying down of the major atomic icebreaker. The first person to speak was Artur Chilingarov, Russian President’s special representative for the Arctic and Antarctic. “This day is a real celebration for everyone connected with the Arctic, with the North, and the sea. The government fulfilled its promise – the building of the lead atomic icebreaker has started. I’m sure the Baltic plant specialists won’t let us down”. President of USC, Vladimir Shmakov, announced the vessel to become “the head of a family of the newest atomic ships – unique technological achievement of our country”. The head of Atomflot, Vladimir Rouksha, said that Russian atomic navy was about to start anew, while Ivan Kamenskih added that the day before he had signed an invitation to tender notice for two more icebreakers of the project.
The newest one
There are no analogs to the vessel. The universal atomic turboelectric project 22220 icebreaker is to become the biggest and mightiest in the world. Its characteristics are length 173.3 meters; beam 34 meters; displacement 33,540 metric tons. The ship’s variable draftiness will allow it to be used both in Arctic waters and in estuaries of polar rivers. It will be able to go through 2,8 meters thick solid even shore ice. The 22220 family is meant for exploring the Arctic shelf. The ship’s size will allow it to pilot vessels with the dead weight up to 100 000 tons. It will be used all year round, which means, it will be able to reach any spot of the Arctic Ocean anytime.
The firstborn will cost RUB 37 billion and will be delivered in by end of 2017. The client is Atomflot, the project is designed by CCB “Iceberg” (one of the oldest country’s constructors bureau, for more than 50 years having been producing icebreaker related supplies) in 2009. “In comparison to the previous versions this is the totally new generation. All technical solutions applied in hull design and reactor installment are new. We took the best from our Soviet heritage”, – says Andrey Buzinov, the head of the project.
The icebreaker will be equipped by RITM-200 reactor energetic installment with the capacity of 175 MW, designed by OKBM Afrikantov, one of the leading atomic engineering organizations. “The reactor installment will be ready by January 2016, assembly will last till December. Reactor loading will take place in the first quarter of 2017, physical start – in several months after that”, – Mustafa Kashka, First Deputy Director, shares his plans.
The materials for the ship’s first sections were ordered in Poland. “It was certified in Russia, we don’t have any doubts concerning quality. This is specialized steel with advanced short cold characteristics”, – says Mr. Kashka. In the plans there is also construction of a floating technical base. “Getting the license for the icebreaker operation we have to be fully ready to handle nuclear fuel. The floating base won’t be necessary until 2023-2025. However part of loading equipment will be needed much earlier”, – explains Mr. Kashka.
Not as usual
“Are you going to manage on time” – this was the question asked by journalists. “How are we going to manage Well, first of all, the reactor installment is fully provided by OKBM, here we don’t have any doubts in terms. Besides for the first time an icebreaker will be built not as usual – at this plant from beginning to end. For example, deck erection is supposed to be given to a side organization, on a competitive basis. This will speed the work up”, – says Mustafa Kashka.
“Look, the laying down of the icebreaker was supposed to last an hour, but we made it in 30 minutes. This makes us hope that Baltic Shipyard will build the icebreaker not just on time, but twice faster”, – Stanislav Golovinsky, Atomflot Deputy Director, is joking.
Some time ago a tender was announced, the two icebreakers were put up as one lot with the total cost of more than RUB 80 billion. Vladimir Shmakov is sure Saint-Petersburg will be the one to get the contract again only Baltic Shipyard has an appropriate license. “After 2021 we will have three new icebreakers, in addition to “Yamal” and “50 let Pobedy”. It is enough to fulfill all tasks put in the Arctic. We will have time to make the decision if to build the fourth and the fifth icebreakers. Basically it all depends whether oil and gas industry are still active, – the head of Atomflot is speculating. – For example, the Kara sea shelf is a two meters long ice, that suggest six-seven months of work. And the tasks put just for this shelf are unachievable without mighty icebreakers”.
Arctic anew
The miracle sheep was named “Artcic”. “I think it is very honorable to bear such a name. The first “Arctic” icebreaker had been working since 1975. It was the only one to have covered more than a million miles. It was unique!” – says Alexander Spirin, captain of “Rossiya” icebreaker, the one to operate the newcomer. “I work in Murmansk for now but next year I’ll come to Saint-Petersburg to control the construction process personally”, – he promises.
“Arctic” will have a crew of 73 people, only experienced ones will be accepted – beginners almost have no chance, says the captain. “To become a good specialist in our field one needs decades. A yesterday’s cadet will be of no use. May be some of those will appear later, in the course of operation. But for now there are going to be people who know what is an icebreaker and how to operate it”.
