Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet: composition, list of active icebreakers and command

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:54

Russia's nuclear-powered icebreaking fleet is a unique potential that only our country has in the world. With its development, intensive development of the Far North began, since nuclear icebreakers are designed to ensure a national presence in the Arctic using advanced nuclear achievements. At present, the state enterprise "Rosatomflot" is engaged in maintenance and operation of these vessels. In this article, we will look at how many active icebreakers Russia has, who commands them, what goals they solve.

Activities

Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet is aimed at solving specific problems. In particular, it ensures the passage of ships through the Northern Sea Route to the freezing ports of Russia. This is one of the main goals thatRussian nuclear icebreaker fleet.

Also participates in research expeditions, provides rescue and emergency operations in non-Arctic freezing seas and ice. In addition, the duties of the Rosatomflot company include repair and maintenance of icebreakers, implementation of projects for the ecological restoration of the northwestern part of the country.

Some icebreakers even organize tourist cruises to the North Pole for everyone, they can get to the archipelagos and islands of the Central Arctic.

An important activity of the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet is the safe management of radioactive waste and nuclear materials, which form the basis of the propulsion systems of ships.

Since 2008, Rosatomflot has been officially part of the state corporation Rosatom. In fact, the corporation now owns all nuclear maintenance ships and ships equipped with a nuclear power plant.

History

The history of Russia's nuclear icebreaker fleet dates back to 1959. It was then that the solemn launching of the first nuclear icebreaker on the planet, which was called "Lenin", took place. Since then, December 3 has been celebrated as the Day of the Russian Nuclear Icebreaker Fleet.

However, the Northern Sea Route began to turn into a real transport artery only in the 70s, when it was possible to talk about the appearance of a nuclear fleet.

After the launch of the nuclear-powered icebreaker "Arktika" in the western sector of the Arctic, navigation became possible throughout the year. At that time, the so-called Norilsk industrial region played a key role in the development of this transport route, when the first year-round port of Dudinka appeared on the route.

Over time, icebreakers were built:

• "Russia";
• "Siberia";
• "Taimyr";
• "Soviet Union";
• "Yamal";
• "Vaigach";
• "50 Years of Victory".

This is a list of Russia's nuclear-powered icebreakers. Their commissioning for decades to come predetermined significant superiority in the field of nuclear shipbuilding around the world.

Local Tasks

Currently, Rosatomflot is solving a large number of important local tasks. In particular, it ensures stable navigation and safe navigation throughout the entire Northern Sea Route.

This allows the transportation of hydrocarbons and other diverse products to the markets of Europe and Asia. This direction is a real alternative to the existing transport channels between the Pacific and Atlantic basins, which are now connected through the Panama and Suez canals.

Besides, this way is much more advantageous in terms of time. From Murmansk to Japan, it will sail about six thousand miles. If you decide to go through the Suez Canal, the distance will be twice as long.

Due to nuclearicebreakers of Russia managed to establish a significant cargo flow on the Northern Sea Route. About five million tons of cargo are transported annually. The number of significant projects is gradually increasing, some customers enter into long-term contracts, up to 2040.

Also, Rosatomflot is engaged in sea exploration, evaluation of raw materials and mineral resources on the Arctic shelf, which is adjacent to the northern coast of the country.

There are regular operations in the port area called Sabetta. With the development of Arctic hydrocarbon projects, an increase in the flow of cargo along the Northern Sea Route is expected. In this regard, the development of oil and gas fields in the Arctic becomes one of the key areas in the work of Rosatomflot. According to forecasts, in 2020-2022 the volume of transported hydrocarbon products may increase to 20 million tons per year.

Military bases

Another direction in which work is underway is the return of the domestic military fleet to the Arctic. Strategic bases cannot be restored without the active participation of the nuclear icebreaker fleet. The task facing today is to provide the Arctic garrisons of the Ministry of Defense with everything they need.

In line with the long-term development strategy, the future will focus on creating a safe, reliable and efficient fleet.

Composition of the nuclear fleet

Currently, the list of operating nuclear-powered icebreakers in Russia includes five vessels.

These are two icebreakers with a 2-reactor nuclearinstallation - "50 Years of Victory" and "Yamal", two more icebreakers with a single-reactor installation - "Vaigach" and "Taimyr", as well as a lighter carrier with an icebreaking bow "Sevmorput". That's how many nuclear-powered icebreakers there are in Russia.

50 Years of Victory

This icebreaker is currently the largest in the world. It was built at the Leningrad B altic Shipyard. Officially launched in 1993 and commissioned in 2007. Such a long break is due to the fact that in the 90s, work was actually suspended due to lack of money.

Now the vessel's permanent port of registry is Murmansk. In addition to the task of escorting caravans through the Arctic seas, this icebreaker takes tourists on board to participate in Arctic cruises. He delivers those who wish to the North Pole with a visit to Franz Josef Land.

The name of the captain of the icebreaker is Dmitry Lobusov.

Yamal

"Yamal" was built in the Soviet Union, it belongs to the class "Arctic". Its construction began in 1986 and was completed three years later. It is noteworthy that at first it was called "October Revolution", only in 1992 it was renamed "Yamal".

In 2000, this active Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker made an expedition to the North Pole, becoming the seventh ship in history to reach this point on planet earth. In total, the icebreaker has reached the North Pole 46 times so far.

The vessel is designed to overcome sea ice up to three meters thick, while maintaining a stable speed of up to two knots per hour. "Yamal" is able to break the ice, moving both forward and backward. There are several Zodiac-class boats and a Mi-8 helicopter on board. There are satellite systems that provide reliable navigation, Internet, and telephone communications. There are a total of 155 crew cabins on the ship.

The icebreaker is not designed specifically for transporting tourists, but still participates in cruises. In 1994, a stylized image of a shark's mouth appeared on the bow of the ship as a bright design element for a children's cruise. Later it was decided to leave it at the request of travel companies. It is now considered traditional.

Vaigach

The Vaigach icebreaker is a shallow-draft icebreaker built as part of the Taimyr project. It was laid down at a Finnish shipyard, delivered to the Soviet Union in 1989, construction was completed at the B altic Shipyard in Leningrad. It was here that the nuclear plant was installed. Considered commissioned in 1990.

Its main distinguishing feature is its reduced draft, which allows it to serve ships on the Northern Sea Route with entry into the Siberian rivers.

The main engines of the icebreaker have a capacity of up to 50,000 horsepower, which allows it to overcome the ice thickness of more than one and a half meters at a speed of two knots per hour. Work is possible at temperatures up to -50 degrees. Main shipused to escort ships from Norilsk that transport metal, as well as ships with ore and timber.

Taimyr

Knowing how many nuclear-powered icebreakers there are in Russia now, it is worth remembering about the ship called "Taimyr", built as part of the project of the same name. First of all, it is intended for guiding ships along the beds of Siberian rivers, which is similar to the Vaigach ship.

His corps was built in Finland in the 80s by order of the Soviet Union. In this case, Soviet-made steel was used, the equipment was also all domestic. Nuclear equipment was delivered already in Leningrad. The ship has the same technical characteristics as the Vaygach ship.

Northern Sea Route

"Sevmorput" is an icebreaking and transport vessel with a nuclear power plant on board. It is considered one of the largest non-military nuclear-powered ships on the planet. It is the largest lighter carrier in the world by displacement.

Design estimates were originally developed back in 1978. Construction was carried out at the Zaliv plant in Kerch. It was launched in 1984, the ship was launched two years later. Officially commissioned in 1988

"Sevmorput" remained the only vessel of this type. It was planned to create another such ship at the Zaliv plant, but work was stopped due to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

First of all, the ship is designed totransportation of goods in lighters to the northern regions. It cuts through ice up to one meter thick on its own. Unlike most other icebreakers, it can also operate in warm waters. For example, at one time he carried out cargo transportation between Murmansk and Dudinka.

At one time the ship was out of work, there was even a threat that it would have to be handed over to "pins and needles" if the situation did not change. It has been upgraded since 2014. Now the ship is back in service, making regular flights, remaining the only operating cargo ship with a nuclear power plant.