Nuclear icebreaker Arktika is heading to Murmansk

St. Petersburg, September 24 – Neftegaz.RU. Arktika, the lead universal nuclear-powered icebreaker, departed from the completion embankment of the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg towards the Murmansk sea port. The passage is planned to take about 2 weeks. During this time, the nuclear icebreaker will be tested in ice conditions.

“Rosatomflot is expecting the arrival of the lead universal nuclear-powered icebreaker,” said Mustafa Kashka, Director General of FSUE Atomflot. “The passage is planned to take about two weeks. During this time, the nuclear icebreaker will be tested in ice conditions.”

During the passage, the Arktika will enter the ice, moving north of Franz Josef Land, (83rd parallel north). This will enable to adjust the system of electric motion of the nuclear-powered vessel in ice conditions.

“The establishment of a modern nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet in Russia, capable of providing a regular year-round and safe navigation throughout the waters of the Northern Sea Route is a strategic goal for our country”, said Vyacheslav Ruksha, Director of the Northern Sea Route Directorate of ROSATOM. “I would like to thank the shipbuilders and all those who were involved in this project for their efforts. I am sure that further icebreakers of the project 22220 will be successfully constructed and will help to fulfill all Russia’s objectives in the Arctic Ocean.”

Sailing to the port of registry was preceded by sea trials of the vessel, the final stage of which was completed on September 16. An inspection of mechanisms and equipment of the nuclear-powered vessel was carried out in the Gulf of Finland and Baltic Sea. Experts tested the electric power system under running conditions and maneuverable characteristics of the vessel under different draft variants.

The lead universal nuclear icebreaker of project 22220 is being built by the Baltic Shipyard on commission of Rosatom State Atomiс Energy Corporation. The nuclear-powered ship was named after the legendary icebreaker “Arktika”, which became the first ship in history to reach the North Pole in the above-water position.