Construction of nuclear icebreaker begins at Zvezda
Construction of Russia, the world's most powerful nuclear powered icebreaker, began when steel cutting for Rosatom’s Leader-class vessel took place on 6 July at Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex. The vessel will be the world’s most powerful icebreaker in terms of shaft power.
As the Russia, the 207m-long, 47m-wide vessel will be dedicated to permitting year-round navigation of large-tonnage transport vessels (up to 50,000dwt), as well as Arc7 ice class LNG carriers along the Northern Sea Route.
The nuclear-powered icebreaker will be able to lay a canal about fifty meters wide, through ice up to 4m in thickness. While the vessel is expected to operate at 2 knots while penetrating thick ice, the Russia could operate at up to 12 knots while passing through 2m thick ice.
The shipyard noted that in parallel with the construction of the icebreaker, the shipyard was extending its own production facilities. A dry dock and additional production workshops are due to be fully operational by 2024.
The icebreaker vessel is scheduled for completion by Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex in 2027. In addition to the Leader-class icebreaker newbuilding project, Zvezda has orders for a series of Arc7 ice class LNG carriers, and is building a series of 12 Aframax tankers.