Photos: One Of World’s Largest & Most Powerful Nuclear Icebreakers Out For Sea Trials

On November 16th, a United Shipbuilding Corporation company called Baltiysky Zavod sent its first serial nuclear-powered icebreaker. This was part of the series of Project 22220. The vessel “Siberia” to undertake sea trials, the shipbuilding company has reportedly mentioned.

Image Credits: @balticshipyard

The icebreaker, which is powered by nuclear energy, left the Baltiysky Zavod shipyard for the Gulf of Finland, where it is expected to implement sea trial programs of the shipyard. For about three weeks, Baltiysky Zavod’s trial crew and the contractors’ representatives will test the operation of the icebreaker’s equipment and mechanisms.

Planned tests include examining the electric propulsion system, steam-turbine plant, deck machinery, and shaft line. Manoeuvring and speed features of the icebreaker will be checked as well as the functioning of the ship’s service automatics and systems.

Image Credits: @balticshipyard

The vessel will be driven by two RITM-200 reactors of 175 MW. The next-gen mechanism was exclusively built for this icebreaker. Its dual-draft concept and capability will permit operating them in the Arctic and at the mouth of polar rivers.

The trials will include testing the communication and navigation systems along with operations regarding the helicopter complex.

Image Credits: @balticshipyard

The Sibir is Project 22220’s second ship from the Baltiysky Zavod shipyard. It was laid down in May 2015 and launched on 22 September 2017. The delivery is likely to take place before the end of this year.

Multipurpose nuclear-enabled icebreakers of Project 22220 ships are the world’s most powerful and largest icebreaking ships. Their primary task is to guarantee year-round navigation in the western Arctic area. Icebreakers of 22220 designs are also going to form Russia’s civil icebreaking fleet in the future.

Image Credits: @balticshipyard

The icebreakers that have been designed in 2009 by the marine engineering company called CDB Iceberg will be operated in the western region of the Arctic like Barents, Kara Seas, Pechora and even in shallower areas of the Ob Bay area and the Yenisei estuary.

Following its contract with the FSUE Rosatomflot, Baltiysky Zavod is coming up with a set of five nuclear-based icebreakers as part of Project 22220. The lead icebreaker is called the Arktika came into operations in 2020. On the other hand, Ural, Yakutia, The Sibir, and Chukotka icebreakers continue to still be work in progress. The series might be extended to make a series of seven icebreakers.

Reference: bz.ru

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Source: Maritime Shipping News