Diesel-electric icebreaker Novorossiysk leaves the port of Arkhangelsk for ice tests in the Kara Sea (photo)

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation says 16 MW diesel-electric icebreaker Novorossiysk has left the port of Arkhangelsk for ice tests in the Kara Sea.

At the IV International Arctic Forum ‘Arctic – Territory of Dialogue’ held in Arkhangelsk on 29-30 March 2017, the icebreaker was visited by RF Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov and representative of foreign delegations taking part in the Forum. When examining the machinery space of the icebreaker and talking to the Master, the Minister marked the high readiness of the ship and the crew to the tests. “Expansion of our fleet of icebreakers with newbuildings is among the priorities to ensure round-the-year access to freezing ports of Russia, as well as safe navigation, high quality of cargo handling operations and environmental safety,” said Maxim Sokolov.

Ice tests scheduled for the second decade of April will let check the icebreaking capabilities of the ship, operation of her engines, mechanisms and equipment in different navigation conditions. The ship designed with application of cutting edge technologies is able to break through ice of up to 1.5 m thick.

The icebreaker is intended for escorting of large capacity vessels, providing towing and cargo transportation services, assisting vessels in distress.