Story by TASS Russian news agency
The icebreaker has to become operational in 2027.
“Rosatom supported the initiative of Rosatomflot to name the nuclear icebreaker as the Russia. The unique icebreaker has exceptional characteristics to operate year-round in the Eastern Arctic,”
Atomflot CEO Mustafa Kashka
The contract for the icebreaker construction was signed on April 23, 2020.
The Leader was designed by Iceberg Bureau and is the most powerful icebreaker in the world. Its capacity is 120 MW, the clean water speed is 22 knots. It is 209 meters long and 47.7 meters wide. The displacement is close to 69700 tons. Maximum ice thickness is 4.3 meters. It is powered by two RITM-400 reactors. It can lead vessels in two-meter thick ice at a speed of 11 knots and thus ensure effective operation of the Northern Sea Route. The Leader can develop it into a year-round transportation route and the navigation will no longer depend on the weather and ice. The Leader is necessary to transport hydrocarbons from Yamal deposits to Asia and the Pacific Rim.
