Russia starts designing a super-icebreaker
© RIA Novosti. Valeriy Melnikov

Russia starts designing a super-icebreaker

Russia is working on the design for a super-icebreaker with a 110 MW power unit, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said at a conference entitled International Cooperation in the Arctic: New Challenges and Vectors of Development, which is being held in Moscow by the Russian International Affairs Council.

"It has been decided to start the design stage of a new project, a nuclear powered Leader-class icebreaker with a 110 MW power unit. The decision to launch its construction will be taken soon," Rogozin said.

The new icebreaker will be able to navigate in ice that is four to five meters thick. "In other words, we will be able to use the Northern Sea Route year-round and in any weather conditions, breaking through the ice not only for existing Arctic vessels but also for the largest gas carriers, with a capacity of up to 300 metric tons," Rogozin added.

The deputy prime minister said the Russian authorities view the Arctic as a testing ground for the innovation technology that is created on orders from the government and big business. New materials and fuel designed for use in extremely low temperatures will be tested in the Arctic in the next few years. 

Attending the conference are Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Commission for Arctic Development Dmitry Rogozin; Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov; Special Presidential Representative for International Cooperation in the Arctic and Antarctic Artur Chilingarov; Chairman of the Board of Directors at Ferring Pharmaceuticals Frederik Paulsen; executive officers of the Arctic Council from Russia, Norway and Iceland; officials from Denmark and Canada; other representatives of relevant ministries, agencies and big business; and leading experts from Arctic Council member states and observer states. The event was organized by the Russian International Affairs Council with support from the Russian Foreign Ministry.