Naval architecture and marine engineering specialist Vympel Design Bureau was awarded a contract to develop a draft design of an icebreaker with a capacity of about 18 MW, of Ice 7 Class on the basis of Project 21900M for FSUE Rosmorport.
VDB won in a single bidder tendering process. The contract value is RUB 5 million.
The Comprehensive plan for modernization and expansion of the transport infrastructure provides for the construction of icebreakers with a capacity of about 18 MW in 2019-2024 for the ports of the North-Western and Far Eastern basins to ensure year-round operation of the freezing seaports of Russia, as well as to replace old icebreakers.
Between 2015 and 2016 three line diesel-electric icebreakers of Project 21900M: "Vladivostok", "Murmansk" and "Novorossiysk" entered service with FSUE Rosmorport fleet. Acceptance sea trials and operation results had proved higher performance compared with the design specifications.
According initial requirements in the tender documents, it is necessary to develop a draft design of the icebreaker as an evolution of the Project 21900M. The draft design must comply with all modern environmental requirements, including the development of solutions to reduce harmful emissions (scrubber or catalytic exhaust systems). The icebreaker propulsion system will be Tier 3 compliant. Also, the future icebreaker must comply with Polar Code. The vessel will be built to RS Class Icebreaker 7 for operation in the Artic.