Russia's nuclear icebreaker fleet is a unique potential that only our country possesses throughout the world. With its development, intensive development of the Far North began, since atomic icebreakers are called upon to ensure a national presence in the Arctic, using advanced nuclear achievements. Currently, the state-owned enterprise Rosatomflot is engaged in the maintenance and operation of these vessels. In this article we will consider how many active icebreakers Russia has, who commands them, what goals they solve.
Activities
The nuclear icebreaker fleet of Russia 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 that the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet fulfills.
Also involved in research expeditions, provides rescue and emergency operations in non-arctic freezing seas and in ice. In addition, Rosatomflot's responsibilities include repair work and maintenance of icebreakers, and implementation of environmental restoration projects in the northwestern part of the country.
Some icebreakers even participate in organizing tourist cruises to the North Pole for everyone, they can be reached on the archipelagos and islands of the Central Arctic.
An important area of activity of the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet is the safe handling of radioactive waste and nuclear materials, which form the basis of ship propulsion systems.
Since 2008, Rosatomflot is officially part of the state corporation Rosatom. In fact, the corporation now owns all nuclear maintenance vessels and ships equipped with a nuclear power plant.
History
The history of the Russian nuclear icebreaker fleet dates back to 1959. It was then that the solemn launching of the first atomic icebreaker on the planet, called the Lenin, took place. Since then, December 3 is the Day of the Russian Atomic 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 the atomic fleet.
After launching the Arctic icebreaker in the western sector of the Arctic, navigation became possible throughout the year. At this time, the key role in the development of this transport route was played by the so-called Norilsk industrial region, when the first year-round port of Dudinka appeared on the highway.
Over time, icebreakers were built:
- "Russia";
- "Siberia";
- Taimyr
- "Soviet Union";
- Yamal;
- "Vaigach";
- "50 years of Victory."
This is a list of nuclear icebreakers in Russia. Putting them into operation for decades to come predetermined significant superiority in the field of nuclear shipbuilding all over the world.
Local tasks
Currently, Rosatomflot solves a large number of important local tasks. In particular, it provides stable navigation and safe navigation throughout the Northern Sea Route.
This allows the transportation of hydrocarbon 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.
In addition, this path is much more advantageous in time. From Murmansk to Japan, it will sail about six thousand miles. If you decide to follow through the Suez Canal, then the distance will be more than double.
Due to the nuclear icebreakers, Russia managed to establish a significant cargo flow on the Northern Sea Route. About five million tons of cargo are transported per year. The number of significant projects is gradually increasing, some customers conclude long-term contracts, up to 2040.
Also, Rosatomflot is engaged in work on the study of the seas, assessment of raw materials and mineral resources on the Arctic shelf, which is adjacent to the northern coast of the country.
Regular operations are carried out in the port area called Sabetta. With the development of Arctic hydrocarbon projects, an increase in the flow of goods along the Northern Sea Route is expected. In this regard, the development of oil and gas fields in the Arctic is becoming 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 area in which work is being conducted is the return of the Russian navy to the Arctic. Strategic bases cannot be restored without the active participation of the nuclear icebreaker fleet. The challenge facing today is to provide the Arctic garrisons of the Ministry of Defense with everything necessary.
In accordance with a long-term development strategy, in the future, the main emphasis will be on creating a safe, reliable and efficient fleet.
The composition of the nuclear fleet
Currently, the list of operating nuclear icebreakers in Russia includes five vessels.
These are two icebreakers with a 2-reactor nuclear installation - “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 nose “Sevmorput”. Here are the number of nuclear icebreakers in Russia.
"50 years of Victory"
This icebreaker is currently the largest in the world. It was built at the Leningrad Baltic Plant. Officially launched in 1993, and put into operation in 2007. Such a long break is due to the fact that in the 90s the work was actually suspended due to lack of money.
Now the permanent port of registration of the vessel is Murmansk. In addition to the task of escorting caravans across the Arctic seas, this icebreaker takes tourists on board to participate in Arctic cruises. Wishing he delivers to the North Pole with a visit to the land of Franz Joseph.
The captain of the icebreaker is Dmitry Lobusov.
Yamal
Yamal was built in the Soviet Union; it belongs to the Arctic class. Its construction was started in 1986, and completed three years later. It is noteworthy that at first it was called the "October Revolution", only in 1992 it was renamed the "Yamal".
In 2000, this active nuclear icebreaker of Russia made an expedition to the North Pole, becoming the seventh ship in history that reached this point on planet earth. In total, the icebreaker has reached 46 times at the moment.
The vessel is designed to overcome sea ice up to three meters thick, while it is able to maintain a stable speed of up to two knots per hour. Yamal is capable of breaking ice, moving both forward and backward. On board are several boats of the Zodiac class and a Mi-8 helicopter. There are satellite systems that provide reliable navigation, the Internet, and telephone communications. In total, the ship has 155 cabins for the crew.
The icebreaker is not intended specifically for the transport of tourists, but it nevertheless participates in cruises. In 1994, a stylized image of a shark's mouth appeared on the bow of the ship as a striking 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 icebreaker "Vaigach" refers to small-sitting, it was built as part of the Taimyr project. It was laid at a Finnish shipyard, in 1989 it was delivered to the Soviet Union, construction was completed at the Baltic Shipyard in Leningrad. It was here that the installation of a nuclear installation was carried out. It is considered commissioned in 1990.
Its main distinguishing feature is a reduced draft, which allows serving vessels on the Northern Sea Route with entry into Siberian rivers.
The main engines of the icebreaker have a capacity of up to 50 thousand 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. Basically, the vessel is used to escort ships from Norilsk that transport metal, as well as ships with ore and timber.
Taimyr
Knowing how many nuclear-powered icebreakers are in Russia right now, it’s worth remembering about a ship called Taimyr, built as part of the project of the same name. First of all, it is intended for escorting vessels along the channels of Siberian rivers, which is similar to the Vaigach ship.
Its building was built in Finland in the 80s by order of the Soviet Union. In this case, Soviet-made steel was used, the equipment is also all domestic. Nuclear equipment was delivered already in Leningrad. The ship has the same technical characteristics as the Vaygach ship.
