The delivery of icebreaker Novorossiysk (Project 21900М) is several months behind schedule due to out-of-time financing from the state customer and dramatic upsurge of currency rates which influences import deliveries, IAA PortNews was told at the press center of Vyborg Shipyard building the ship. Initially, the third icebreaker in the series was scheduled for delivery in October, 2015.
As of March 1, technical readiness of Project 21900 М icebreakers was as follows: lead ship Vladivostok – 90.4%, second serial icebreaker Murmansk (being built together with Arctech Helsinki Shipyard) – 74.8%, icebreaker Novorossiysk – 61.7%.
The first and the second icebreakers are to be delivered as scheduled – in 2015. According to earlier reports, the delivery is scheduled for May and October 2015.
The icebreakers were ordered by the Federal Agency of Maritime and River Transport, owner / developer is FSUE Rosmorport.
The icebreaker of Project 21900M is an evolution of Project 21900. Vessel’s characteristics: length – 119.8 m, breadth – 27.5 m; draught – 8.5 m; speed about 17.0 knots; displacement – about 14,000 t; icebreaking capability – 1.5 ; propulsion power – about 17 MW.
The icebreaker is capable of ramming a path in the 1.5-m-thick ice. The multipurpose vessel is intended for escort of large-tonnage cargo ships, for towing, fire fighting on floating and other facilities, salvage of stricken ships and for cargo transportation. Icebreakers of Project 21900М will operate in the Baltic Sea.
The contract for construction of 16 MW diesel icebreakers of Project 21900М were signed by United Shipbuilding Corporation and Vyborg Shipyard on February 23, 2012. The contracts are estimated at some RUB 8 bln.
Vyborg Shipyard OJSC is one of the largest shipbuilding companies of the North-Western Region of Russia with over 60-years’ experience in shipbuilding. Vyborg Shipyard is a member of the United Shipbuilding Corporation. Today the Shipyard specializes in building drilling rigs for offshore deposits development, vessels of small and medium tonnage as well as ship repair.
Hietalahti, Helsinki based Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc. specializes in building icebreakers and other Arctic offshore and special vessels. Arctech is a 50/50 owned JV of STX Finland Oy and Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation. The joint venture agreement was signed in December 2010.
Related links:
Vyborg Shipyard launches icebreaker of project 21900М Vladivostok for Rosmorport >>>>
Vyborg Shipyard starts building hull of 21900M icebreaker "Novorossiysk" for Rosmorport (photo) >>>>