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2019 September 4   11:42

Baltiysky Zavod completed building hull and superstructure of nuclear-powered icebreaker Sibir, first serial ship of Project 22220

Baltiysky Zavod shipyard says it has completed building the superstructure of the first serial icebreaker of Project 22220, Sibir.

Following the loading of turbine generators, the shipbuilders of Baltiysky Zavod assembled the final block of the superstructure, having thus completed one of the key phases of the Sibir construction process – hull works.

Currently, the shipyard employees are conducting electrical fitting works, cable tightening, assembling of main electric equipment and pipeline systems, alignment and assembling of turbine generators.  

The next crucial phase of construction will be electric power supply from the shore to the central switchboard.

Under the contract with FSUE Rosatomflot, Baltiysky Zavod shipyard is building three LK-60 60MW icebreakers of Project 22220 (Arktika, Sibir, Ural). The icebreaker engineering design was developed by CDB Iceberg in 2009. Chief designer - V. Vorobyov. 

The lead icebreaker of Project 22220, the Arktika, was laid down at Baltiysky Zavod shipyard on 5 November 2013 and launched on 16 June 2016. 

The first serial icebreaker of Project, the Sibir, was laid down on 26 May 2015 and launched on 22 September 2017. 

Nuclear-powered icebreakers of Project 22220 are equipped with two RITM-200 reactors of 175 MW. Project 22220 ships will be the world’s largest and most powerful nuclear-powered icebreakers (60MW). The vessels’ dual-draft concept allows for operating them both in the Arctic and in the mouths of the polar rivers.

General characteristics of 22220 Project vessels: capacity - 60 MW, operational speed - 22 knots (clean water), length - 173.3 m (160 m, DWL), beam - 34 m (33 m, DWL), depth - 15.2 m; draft (DWL) - 10.5 m; minimum draft - 8.65 m, maximum icebreaking capability - 2.9-meter-thick ice (at full capacity and speed of 1.5-2 knots); full displacement – 33,540 tonnes; designated service life - 40 years, crew – 53.

The icebreaker will be powered by two RITM-200 reactors of 175 MW. The system of the new generation was developed specially for this ship. The vessels dual-draft concept and capability will allow operating them both in the Arctic and in the mouths of the polar rivers.

The icebreakers will be operated in the western region of the Arctic: in the Barents, Pechora and Kara Seas, as well as in shallower areas of the Yenisei estuary and the Ob Bay area.

Saint-Petersburg, Russia based Baltiysky Zavod Shipyard (Baltic Shipyard) was established in 1856 and today is a 100% subsidiary of the state-owned conglomerate United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), established by order of the Russian Government. The shipyard specializes in the construction of Rank 1 surface crafts, ice class vessels with nuclear and diesel-electric propulsion, of nuclear floating energy units and floating distilling plants. Baltic Shipyard has built over 600 ships and vessels. The shipyard employs more than 6,000 people.