New US Icebreaker Delayed Until 2027, Russia Orders 6th and 7th Nuclear Icebreaker The United States’ new polar-class icebreaker faces further delays pushing delivery from the original timeline for 2024 into 2027. The Coast Guard is now looking to purchase an existing commercial icebreaker for $150m to bridge the gap. Meanwhile, Russia’s Rosatom signed construction contracts for two more nuclear icebreakers.
Russian Government Approves $1bn for Construction of 6th and 7th Arktika-class Nuclear Icebreakers Russia continues modernizing and expanding its fleet of powerful nuclear icebreakers in an effort to realize year-round shipping along the Northern Sea Route. With the sixth and seventh newArktika-class icebreakers Russia will operate up to a dozen nuclear icebreakers before the end of the decade.
After 27 Years, Lepse No Longer Poses a Nuclear Threat to the Arctic Last week, the Russian service ship Serebryanka delivered the last spent-fuel bundles from the Lepse floating maintenance base to an Atomflot storage site in Murmansk, completing the final stage of securing the nuclear waste.
Northern Sea Route Transit Traffic Remains Modest As Arctic shipping activity is increasing, transit traffic on the Northern Sea Route has not taken off, contrary to past predictions.
Russia Begins Construction on Fifth Nuclear Icebreaker as Arctic Sees Record Shipping Traffic Shipping activity in the Arctic continues to grow unabated even as shipping traffic in other parts of the world saw declining volumes as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Russia’s Northern Sea Route saw record cargo volume and transits and the country began construction on another nuclear icebreaker, the fifth of theArktika-class.
Novatek Transships LNG near Murmansk While Super Icebreaker Arktika Completes First Escort Russian natural gas company Novatek tested the reloading of LNG in the Kildin Strait of the Barents Sea optimizing its export of LNG to Europe. Meanwhile Rosatomflot’s newest nuclear icebreakerArktikasuccessfully completed its first escort through the icy waters of Ob Bay.
Russia's New Super Icebreaker Reaches North Pole During Ice Trials Russia’s future flagship icebreakerArktikareached the North Pole during its first sea ice tests. The vessel is the world’s most powerful icebreaker and the first of five new nuclear icebreakers of this type.
U.S. Looking to Acquire 10 Additional Icebreakers, Possibly from Finland Following controversial remarks about “buying Greenland” last year, President Trump again offers off the cuff comments about U.S. policy in the region suggesting the country will get ten new icebreakers.
Russia’s Rosatom and Zvezda Shipyard Sign Contract for World’s Largest Nuclear Icebreaker TheLeader-class nuclear icebreaker is designed to ensure year-round navigation on the eastern parts of the Northern Sea Route by 2027. Questions remain about the project’s ambitious timeline as Russia’s nuclear icebreaker program has faced ongoing delays and technical issues in recent years.
Russia Plans to Commission New Arktika Icebreaker Despite Faulty Propulsion Motor A damaged propulsion motor will limit the power and abilities of Russia’s newest nuclear icebreaker until a permanent repair can be carried out in 2021.
Russia's Brand New Nuclear Icebreaker “Arktika” to Begin Sea Trials Russia’s new flagship icebreakerArktikanears commissioning heralding an era of modernized nuclear icebreaking capabilities. The country also launched the first vessel in a series of armed patrol icebreakers further expanding its military assets in the region.
Russia’s Rosatomflot Launches Third New Nuclear Icebreaker Russia further cements its position as world’s largest operator of icebreakers. With this week’s launch of Ural the country has constructed three massive nuclear icebreaker in less than six years.
Economic Interests May Trump Shipping Safety as Russia Seeks to Reduce Ice-Class Requirements The Russian Ministry of Transport has proposed a significant softening of ice-class requirements on the Northern Sea Route. The change, proposed to go into effect in May 2019, would benefit the country’s largest independent natural gas producer Novatek. The company operates the vast Yamal LNG facility and relies on the route to export its cargo.
Maersk Container Ship Transits Arctic Ocean With Icebreaker Escort Danish shipping giant Maersk is about to complete the first-ever transit of the Arctic Ocean by a container ship. The Venta Maersk traveled through ice-covered waters with the help of a nuclear icebreaker and is expected in Europe within a week.
Rosatomflot Faces Increasing Challenges, Needs More Icebreakers Exclusive in High North News: Rosatomflot will increase their icebreaker capacity to meet expected growing demands the years to come.
Kremlin Prioritizes Commercial Considerations in Arctic Safety Dispute The serious violation of Arctic shipping safety rules by Yamal LNG carrier Boris Vilkitsky last month has escalated a growing conflict about the regulation of and control over the Northern Sea Route.
