The new universal nuclear icebreaker “Siberia” went on sea trials, according to the press service of the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg where the vessel was built.
Первый серийный универсальный атомный ледокол проекта 22220 «Сибирь» покинул достроечную набережную Балтийского завода и взял курс на Финский залив, где приступит к выполнению программы заводских ходовых испытаний pic.twitter.com/oXpC4SFjjU
— Росатом (@rosatom) November 16, 2021
“The first serial nuclear icebreaker of the project 22220 ‘Siberia’ left the completion embankment of the Baltic Shipyard and headed for the Gulf of Finland, where it will begin to implement the programme of factory sea trials,” the press service reports.
It is expected that the nuclear-powered vessel will be handed over to the customer, Rosatom State Corporation, by the end of this year. In the next three weeks, the delivery team of the Baltic Shipyard, together with representatives of counterparty organizations, will check the operation of the icebreaker’s mechanisms and equipment.
Specialists will conduct a complex of tests, including the operation of a steam turbine installation, electric propulsion systems, the work of shaft lines and deck mechanisms (anchor and steering devices).
The icebreaker’s speed and manoeuvrability characteristics, the functioning of ship-wide systems and automation systems will also be tested. In addition, an important stage of sea trials will be the verification of navigation and communication systems, as well as the operation of the helicopter complex.
As specified, the nuclear icebreakers of Project 22220 with a capacity of 60 MW are currently the largest and most powerful in the world. They are needed to ensure Russian leadership in the Arctic. The length of the vessels of this project is 173.3 metres, the width is 34 metres, and the water displacement is 33.5 thousand tonnes. These icebreakers can conduct caravans of ships in Arctic conditions breaking through ice up to three metres thick.
Ru-Main, 18.11.2021
Source: Information Reports Agency, Picture: Rosatom Official Twitter Page
