The universal nuclear icebreaker “Arktika” is back to St. Petersburg after the second stage of sea trials that were held in the Baltic during June 23 – September 16 and is ready to set sail for Murmansk.
According to Rosatomflot, which is the operator of the Russian nuclear icebreaking fleet, the vessel’s mechanisms and systems as well as its navigation qualities were successfully tested in various operational modes.
On September 22, “Arktika” is to set sail from the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg to Murmansk. The voyage is expected to take some two weeks.
The keel for the icebreaker was laid in November 2013, and launching ceremony took place on June 16, 2016. “Arktika” is the largest and the most powerful icebreaker in the world.
Vessel characteristics:
- LOA – 173.3 m,
- Beam – 34 m,
- Draft – 10.5 m / 8.65 m,
- Speed – 22 knots (in clear water),
- Power capacity – 60 MWt,
- Icebreaking capacity – 2.8 m,
- Life cycle – 40 years.