Development of the programme on construction of icebreakers powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be financed by PAO NOVATEK is underway. That was announced by Vyacheslav Ruksha, Director of the Northern Sea Route Directorate, head of the federal project on the NSR under the comprehensive plan for upgrading and expanding core infrastructure till 2024 (Plan) at the meeting of the project committee for transport part of the Plan chaired by RF Deputy PM Maksim Akimov. According to the statement of RF Government’s press center, Vyacheslav Ruksha emphasized that the work on extension of nuclear-powered icebreakers’ service life is going on in compliance with the schedule. The existing fleet of Rosatom icebreakers will be able to operate till 2026–2027.
At the same time, three multipurpose nuclear-powered icebreakers are under construction. The programme for construction of two more serial icebreaker is being prepared today with the delivery scheduled for December 2024 and December 2026 accordingly.