New icebreaker Arktika under RS survey
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) has performed survey of the forged blanks of a new generation RITM-200 reactor vessel for the lead dual draft nuclear icebreaker Arktika (project 22220), RS said in its press release.
The new icebreaker Arktika is built to RS class with the class notation КM ✪ Icebreaker 9 [2] AUT2-ICS EPP . During the construction of the icebreaker, RS experts performed survey of hull, machinery, equipment, devices, radio navigation and electrical facilities, automation equipment in compliance with the requirements of RS rules, RS-approved project documentation as well as with the applicable requirements of international codes and conventions. Upon the completion of construction, RS will continue survey of the icebreaker under operation.
RS is the global leader in the development of safety standards for icebreakers and ice class ships. RS is the only classification society in the world to have civil nuclear-powered ships in its class. All the nuclear icebreakers currently operated in Russia have been built with the RS direct participation. Today, 5 nuclear-powered vessels are operated under the RS survey. They are: Rossiya, Taimyr, Vaygach, Yamal and 50 Let Pobedy.
The project 22220 is a new type of Russian nuclear icebreakers. Due to the new design, the icebreaker can vary draft and operate both in deep waters of western Arctic areas (Barents, Pechora and Kara Seas), and in shallow waters of river estuaries (Yenisey's mouth and the Gulf of Ob). The icebreaker will be capable of continuous proceeding ahead, breaking heavy ice of up to 2.8 m thick. Two more icebreakers of this series are planned to be built to RS class in the future. These high-tech universal vessels will be the largest and the most powerful icebreakers in the world.