Aleksey Rakhmanov, President, United Shipbuilding Corporation

- Two shipyards are capable of building a Leader type icebreaker of Project 10510, if we do not take into account the Crimean yards due to evident reasons. The first shipyard is DVZ Zvezda (Far East) and the second one is Baltiysky Zavod (Saint-Petersburg).

The ability is determined by minimum four reasons. The first –technical capabilities, the second – license  for work with nuclear fuel, third – sufficient number of specialists since the construction of an icebreaker is a challenge, fourth, no less important – proximity to key suppliers. I would emphasize that the European part of Russia produces up to 50% of all large equipment and components needed for the those icebreakers.

The matter (choosing a shipyard – Ed.) will take on some political overtones. However, we are sure that the core personnel, specialists, licenses and capabilities are available in Saint-Petersburg. Of course, we would like very much to embark on construction of those icebreakers. Yet, we will have to compete for these orders.

Recorded by IAA PortNews at the meeting with teachers, students and personnel of Saint-Petersburg State Technical Maritime University.