The preparation of the universal nuclear icebreaker "Chukotka" continues at the Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. The vessel, launched at the end of 2024, is currently undergoing mooring trials. Specialists are consistently checking more than a thousand mechanisms, from power plants to life support systems for the crew. The readiness of the hull is estimated at 82%, and equipment is being installed and connected to shore power in parallel.
The equipped mass of the icebreaker is more than 40,000 tons. Our launching device does not allow launching in full, which makes it possible to carry out additional work on the superstructure, which is a residential block, later directly afloat.
The energy heart of the icebreaker is two RITM-200 water-cooled reactors with a capacity of 175 megawatts each. According to the designers' calculations, the unit will operate for forty years, and one load of nuclear fuel will provide four years of autonomous operation.
For backup, two of the three emergency diesel generators are already functioning on board: they will take over the power supply in the event of an emergency shutdown of the reactors. Auxiliary boiler units weighing 14 tons each generate steam when the main reactors are inactive, for example, while in port.
The hull and parts of the "Chukotka" are assembled from special grades of steel that are resistant to corrosion and extreme temperatures. In the Arctic, where thermometers sometimes drop to minus 68 degrees, this is critical. The power plant's capacity exceeds 80,000 horsepower, allowing the icebreaker to reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour and overcome ice up to three meters thick. The universal design feels equally confident both in deep-sea areas and in narrow riverbeds.
"Chukotka" continues the series of nuclear-powered ships of Project 22220, the pioneer of which was "Arktika", which entered the ice routes in 2020. Then "Siberia", "Ural" and "Yakutia" joined the ranks. Following "Chukotka", the hull of the icebreaker "Leningrad" is being completed at the Baltic Shipyard.
After the completion of mooring trials, engineers will proceed to sea trials: they will check the buoyancy, controllability and maneuverability of the vessel in real conditions.
Technical characteristics of the icebreaker "Chukotka":
- Displacement: smallest — 26,771 tons, standard — 32,747 tons, full along the waterline — 33,540 tons
- Length: greatest — 173.3 m, overall — 172.7 m (160.0 m along the waterline).
- Width: 34.0 m (33.0 m along the waterline)
- Height: board in the midship — 15.2 m, greatest — 59.3 m
- Draft: minimum working — 9.03 m, full along the waterline — 10.5 m
- Engines: 2 RITM-200 nuclear reactors of 175 MW each
- Power: 60 MW (81,577 hp) on the shafts
- Propulsion: 3 fixed-pitch propellers with 4 removable blades
- Speed: full — 22.0 knots in clear water, 12.0 knots in 1.5 m ice, 2.0 knots in 2.8–2.9 m ice, 3.0 m (greatest ice thickness)
- Navigation autonomy: 7 years (fuel reloading), 6 months (in terms of food supplies)
- Crew: 53 people
- Hull material: special alloy steel.