The shipbuilding company deployed four gantry cranes operating in tandem to handle a 220-tonne containment shell section.
Specialists of Baltic Shipyard (Baltiysky Zavod, part of USC) successfully handled a technically complicated loading of a large block section weighing 220 tonnes onto the Project 22220 nuclear icebreaker Chukotka, the USC news release said.
The 220-tonne reactor containment shell consists of eight sections, with the minimum weight of one section of 30 tonnes, the maximum – 33 tonnes. To tackle the challenging task the shipbuilder used four heavy-lift gantry cranes in tandem.
The containment shell compartments is a kind of “sarcophagus” that ensures safety for the crew during the power generating unit operation. The block section includes various materials, solid concrete, steel and special protective metals, which significantly makes the structure heavier and creates certain difficulties during lifting / loading operation. Thanks to the experience, well-coordinated work of the crane operators and the professionalism of the slingers, the specialists of the Baltic Shipyard were able to load the huge unit onto the ship in a timely manner according to the work schedule.
Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreakers are the largest and most powerful icebreaking ships in the world. The vessels were designed to assist shipping year round within the Arctic basin. Three icebreakers of the series (“Arctic”, “Siberia” and “Ural”) are currently operating in the waters of the Northern Sea Route. Baltic Shipyard is building at its production facilities two more icebreakers of Project 22220, the Yakutia and the Chukotka.
Main characteristics of Project 22220 nuclear icebreakers: length - 174 m; width - 34 m; draft -10.5 m/9.3 m; power - 60 MW (on shafts); displacement - 33.54 thousand tons; design service life - 40 years; crew size - 54 people.
Key particulars of Project 22220: engine rated power: 60 MW; cruising speed: 22 knots (in ice-free water); LOA - 174 m; beam: 34 m (33 m, DWL); height: 52 m; draft (DWL): 10.5 m/8.65 m; minimum draft: 9.3 m, full displacement: 33,540 tonnes; maximum icebreaking capability: 2.8-meter-thick ice (at full capacity and speed of 1.5-2 knots); designated service life: 40 years, crew: 53.
Saint-Petersburg, Russia based Baltic Shipyard (Baltiysky Zavod) was established in 1856 and today is a 100% subsidiary of the state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC). 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. Since its inception Baltic Shipyard has built over 600 ships and vessels. The shipbuilding company employs more than 6,000 people.
United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC OJSC) is the largest conglomerate of Russian shipbuilding companies. The USC holding was set up in 2007 with 100% federal ownership. The holding comprises about 40 companies and organizations (major shipbuilding and ship repair companies, leading naval architecture and marine engineering firms). Currently, USC consolidates the bulk of the domestic shipbuilding complex. The Russian market is the main focus of the state corporation though it also exports its products to 20 countries worldwide.