The project of the multi-functional diesel-electric icebreaker of the new generation, Aker Arc130A, intended for operation at the Arctic terminal under Gazprom Neft’s Novy Port project (Ob Bay, Yamal - Nenets Autonomous Region), has successfully undergone the model test in the ice basin, press center of Gazprom Neft says. The concept design has been developed by Aker Arctic Technology (Finland). The construction will be performed by Vyborg Shipyard to the order of Gazprom Neft Novy Port.
The test results show that the propulsion concept consisting of three azimuth thrusters – two in the stern and one in the bow of the vessel allows for the most efficient operation in severe conditions of the supposed district of operation. Testing of Aker Arc130A prototype in ice basin has proved that the 22 MW vessel will retain the maximum maneuverability in 2-meter thick ice, which is a requirement of the Icebreaker8 class.
During the test the prototype model has preserved the practical ability of running in consolidated 3-meters thick ice with 30-pct increase of design capacity of the power and propulsion plant. This result allows for considering application of the modified Aker Arc130A in the most adverse Arctic regions.
The new icebreakers of Aker ARC 130 A design are about 121.7 m long overall and have a main deck of 26 m in breadth (including fendering structures) and design draft of 8m. The vessels have a diesel-electric power plant and the combined propulsion power of the three azimuth thrusters is 21.5 MW (2 х 7,500 kW (stern) and 1 х 6,500 kW(bow)). The new icebreakers will fly the flag of the Russian Federation .
Gazprom Neft Group consists of more than 70 production, refining and sales subsidiaries in Russia, neighbouring countries and further afield. Gazprom Neft operates in Russia’s major oil and gas regions: in the Khanty-Mansi and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Districts and in the Tomsk, Omsk and Orenburg regions.
Gazprom Neft Novy Port, subsidiary of Gazprom Neft, operator of Novy Port project is run by Gazpromneft-Razvitie LLC.
Vyborg Shipyard JSC (VSY) is a corporate member of United Shipbuilding Corporation having a vast experience in construction of icebreaking and ice-going vessels, offshore support vessels of various purposes, semisubmersible drilling platforms, topside modules for fixed offshore platforms and big-size grand blocks for onshore facilities. From the date of its foundation in 1948 the Shipyard has built more than 200 different vessels with total displacement over 1,550,000 t. VSY head office is located in Vyborg, Russia.