RF Government has published its draft decree on financing of the Leader-class icebreaker construction from the federal budget resources in the amount of RUB 127.58 billion (VAT included). According to the explanatory note, State Corporation Rosatom together with ad hoc federal executive authorities and mineral developers had estimated the demand for nuclear-powered icebreakers to ensure year-round navigation on the Northern Sea Route with annual cargo flow of up to 100 million tonnes by 2030.
According to mineral developers’ applications, new Arctic project to be become operational by 2030 will increase cargo flow on the Northern Sea Route by up to 58.7 million tonnes per year in westward direction (according to estimations of RF Ministry of Nature and RF Ministry of Transport – up to 30-35 million tonnes per year) and by up to 129 million tonnes per year in eastward direction (according to estimations of RF Ministry of Nature and RF Ministry of Transport – up to 70-80 million tonnes per year).
70% of produced hydrocarbons is forecasted to be transported to the countries of the Asia-Pacific Region. Total demand for nuclear-powered icebreakers at the peak of transportation in the Russian Arctic after 2030 can be as high as 8 units to ensure commercial speed of cargo delivery to consumers at 10-12 knots.
To provide icebreaker escort services to vessels of mineral developers taking into consideration the extension of service life of the existing nuclear-powered icebreakers and construction of three 60 MW multipurpose nuclear-powered icebreakers of 22220 series by Baltiysky Zavod as well as the series extension with two more units, it is necessary to build innovative nuclear-powered icebreakers of Project 10510, Leader, to build up icebreaking capacity in the eastern sector of the Arctic.
With cargo flow in the eastern sector of the Arctic exceeding 30-50 million tonnes per year, Leader icebreaker is required to ensure year-round navigation in the eastern direction of the Northern Sea Route.
Taking into consideration, the schedule for construction and commissioning of the above-mentioned icebreakers basing on cargo flow forecasts for 2020-2030, the priority task is to begin the construction of the lead icebreaker in the series of three Leader ships.
In view of ambitious investment projects in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, the demand for powerful icebreakers of Leader class is increasing. Investors of large-scale projects on production and transportation of mineral resources in the eastern part of the NSR waters make their decision taking into account availability of icebreaker escort services. Therefore, construction of the lead icebreaker of Leader class will have a positive impact on such investment projects.
The issue of awarding the contract for construction of the Leader icebreaker has been considered by a dedicated interagency working group chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov. Upon completion of the group’s work, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov and Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin addressed RF President Vladimir Putin with a proposal on arranging the construction of the lead and two serial Leader icebreakers. In pursuance of the Presidential Order dated 11.09.2018 (No Пр-1679) RF Government issued a Decree (27.03.2019, No 538-р) on appointing Shipbuilding Complex Zvezda as the sole contractor under the project on construction of nuclear-powered icebreaker of Project 10510, Leader.
The facilities being currently constructed at Zvezda will let the shipyard build the Leader icebreaker. Specialists and competence of other Russian shipyards experienced in construction of nuclear-powered ships can be attracted for some works.
FSUE Atomflot’s facilities located in Murmansk and subordinate to State Corporation Rosatom has infrastructure and competence required for operation of modern icebreakers of Leader class. If necessary, drydocking is possible at Zvezda facilities.
Deployment of the Leader icebreaker will let increase the cargo flow by at least 10 million tonnes and ensure year-round navigation in the eastern part of the Northern Sea Route including transportation of LNG from the Yamal and Gydan peninsulas to the countries of the Asia-Pacific Region.
That will let maintain the results achieved in pursuance of RF President’s Decree dated 7 May 2018 No 204 “On national objectives and strategic tasks of the Russian Federation development till 2024” and ensure further development after 2024.