Biggest Icebreaker In The World
The Arktika, a Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker, is the lead vessel of the Project 22220 series. It is the biggest and most powerful icebreaker in the world, designed to operate in extreme Arctic conditions.
Arktika is 173.3 m long and has a maximum width of 34 m. It can operate in shallow Arctic river estuaries and also along the Northern Sea Route. Its draught varies between 9 and 10.5 metres by taking in and discharging ballast water.
It has a nuclear-turbo-electric powertrain. The nuclear power plant has 2 pressurised water reactors powered by 20% enriched Uranium-235 and two turbogenerators.
Its propulsion system includes three 4-bladed propellers driven by electric motors with a total propulsion power of 60 megawatts.
The biggest icebreaker can break 2.8 m or 9 ft thick ice at a speed of 1.5 to 2 knots at full power in deep waters.
The icebreaker was built by the Baltic Shipyard, Saint Petersburg and is operated by FSUE Atomflot. It was laid down in 2013 and launched in 2016, costing RUB 36.959 billion.
It has a displacement of 33,327 tonnes and a gross tonnage of 28,494 tonnes. The icebreaker can attain a speed of 22 knots and has an endurance of 7 years and a crew of 75.
It can operate in the Arctic waters throughout the year, escorting merchant ships along the Northern Sea Route and also supporting scientific and recreational expeditions.
The icebreaker also has a helideck and hangar which can accommodate helicopters for logistical support and reconnaissance.
One of the first missions of Arktika was to take 25 Russian teens, finalists of the Arctic Olympiad, to the North Pole in October 2020. However, it remained in Murmansk till mid-November after the official flag-raising ceremony.
It left for its first working voyage on the Northern Sea Route on 14 November but returned to Murmansk for minor technical adjustments.
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Zahra is an SEO-Strategist & a Technical Writer with over 5 years of experience crafting top-tier content for the shipping world. From news, articles, ebooks, blogs and marketing pieces to industry white papers, she has written it all and now brings that experience to her role as Senior Editor. She makes complex maritime stories clear, sharp, and engaging.
Disclaimer :
The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
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