Russia’s first LNG-powered icebreaker for Helsinki shipyard
Preparations for the construction of Russia’s first LNG-powered icebreaker begin. The vessel, which is also the largest and most efficient diesel-electric icebreaker ever built in Finland, is operated by mining giant Norilsk Nickel to support the expansion of shipping on the Russian North Sea route.
Helsinki Shipyard confirmed that work on Aker Arctic Technology has started before construction, which is expected to begin in summer 2022. Norilsk says the vessel is an important addition and must be ready in time for the winter season 2025. The contract for Helsinki Shipyard is significant. End of 2024.
“Getting a new icebreaker by the end of 2024 is very important for Nornickel as it will provide the additional transportation capacity needed to carry out both of our strategic investment projects, including the rehabilitation plans for the city of Norilsk,” said Sergey Dubovitskiy, Director of Norilsk Nickel. “We are pleased to announce that it will be fueled by LNG that is in line with current trends in CO2 emissions and will be a pioneer in LNG on the Northern Sea Route.”
The dimensions of the new icebreaker were not made public, but the companies said it will be built with the Russian Maritime Register (RMRS) classification mark Icebreaker 8 and will be able to break the two-meter-thick snow-covered ice as it drives forward. or behind. The new icebreaker will have an integrated dual-fuel diesel power plant that can use both LNG and low-sulfur diesel, as well as facilities to transport cargo and support helicopter operations.
The new vessel will be home to Murmansk to maintain the Jenissei River fairway for Nornickel Arctic Expresses Arc7 ore carriers and to also support the Arc5-class cargo fleet with a carrying capacity of up to 20,000 tonnes. The vessel’s future area of operation will be the Yenisei River Basin, the Yenisei Bay and the Karameri, which will secure access to the port of Dudinka.
Helsinki Shipyard says that it has completed the supply contracts for the main equipment and power of the Nornikkel icebreaker and that it has carried out model tests on ice and open water for the design of the icebreaker. Design work is progressing on schedule.
Nornickel said the new icebreaker will complement its Arctic fleet, which will consist of six Arc7-class reinforced ice class vessels, including five container vessels and one reinforced ice class tanker. In addition, the development of new icebreakers is a critical part of the North Sea Route Plan.
Russia is also building and deploying a new class of nuclear icebreakers. The Baltic shipyard recently completed the commissioning of Russia the largest and most powerful nuclear icebreaker. An additional vessel is currently under construction, and at least two other vessels are being discussed.
The goal is to develop a new icebreaker fleet that will also replace old ships that are scheduled to be decommissioned before the end of this decade.