The icebreaker “Arktika” will leave the slipway in June of 2019

It is planned to input the icebreaker “Arktika” – the first of three new Russian vessels of this class – to operation in June of 2019.

This information was given by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. Testing of the first turbine of the icebreaker was started on the 19th of June. Tests on each turbine are conducted during about a month. It means that the first turbine will be input to operation during July, the second – already in October this year.
There are two turbines on each icebreaker; in October they will be delivered to the shipyard, and further – according to the schedule: June of 2019 – input of the lead icebreaker “Arktika”, November of 2020 – the nuclear-powered icebreaker “Ural”, November of 2021 – the nuclear-powered icebreaker “Sibir” (Siberia). “If to consider the fact that Rosatom prolonged the operating life of the existing and acting nuclear-powered icebreaking fleet, we shall do everything in proper time. Actually, our colleagues working in business, in the Arctic, on the shelf know that icebreaking support on the Arctic Ocean, on the Northern Sea Route will be fulfilled”, as Dmitry Rogozin says.
According to his words, new technological conditions allow thinking seriously about fulfillment of the project “Leader” that supposes creation of new nuclear-powered ships of ice class with the capacity 120 megawatt.
If in several years the government takes a decision on its building, then generally technical basis for its creation will also appear. “Thus, we could completely provide work of the Northern Sea Route in any season and any weather not only on the western route – from Sabetta to Europe, but also to the east for year-round transportation of hydrocarbons being extracted in arctic fields”, as Deputy Prime Minister says.