The Arctic is a region where nuclear-powered ships have undeniable advantages, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Stanislav Chui, Director of the Shipbuilding and Marine Facilities Department of Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, as saying at the VI International Forum «Arctic: the Present and the Future».
He reminded that designing of a Leader-class nuclear-powered icebreaker (LK-120) has begun. The icebreaker of new generation will be able to break through 2-meter thick ice at speed of about 10 knots and 4-meter thick ice at speed of 2 knots.
“For the first time this icebreaker will let us do something that everybody was dreaming of – ensure round-the-year operation of the Northern Sea Route with guaranteed navigation along the entire route”, said Stanislav Chui. Regular round-the-year operation of the Northern Sea Route will let develop domestic shipbuilding.
Stanislav Chui told about the calculations made in 2007 according to which construction of a nuclear-powered ship is approximately 2-3 times more costly as compared with conventional ships. Maintenance of nuclear-powered ships (cost of nuclear fuel) was estimated at RUB 180 mln per year. Round-the-year operation of similar vessels powered by heavy fuel oil (bunkering) costs RUB 1.2 bln. According to the representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, it takes 5-6 years for those costs to equal and for the economic effect to arise. Besides, nuclear-powered ships can operate for 20 years without bunkering.
Yet, Stanislav Chui marked the remaining questions related to insurance of nuclear-powered ships and imperfect regulatory framework providing difficulties for such vessels’ port calls.
According to the speaker, too little attention is paid to the development of nuclear shipbuilding in the world amid too many myths, phobias and unfounded fears.
The only alternative to nuclear-powered ships is LNG-powered ships, believes Stanislav Chui.