Will service nuclear-powered ships, transport radioactive waste — what is known about the MSATO Project 22770

The MSATO (multifunctional nuclear technology service vessel) was developed under Project 22770 by CDB Iceberg. It is designed for technological and technical maintenance of nuclear power plants of Russian naval vessels and will replace the Imandra vessel of Project 1948, which performs similar functions, in 2029.

According to CDB Iceberg, the future vessel under the project will receive a diesel power plant. Among the main characteristics of MSATO:

• length overall — 158.80 m;
• length at waterline — 149.20 m;
  
• maximum width — 26.00 m;
  
• board height at midship — 10.50 m, height at full draft displacement — 7.50 m;
  
• full displacement of the vessel — 22,661 tons;
  
• GEU power on shafts — 9,200 kW;
  
• speed — 12 knots;
  
• crew — 15 people;
• hull ice strengthening class — Arc5.
  

MSATO will be engaged in:

• receiving, preparing and loading fresh nuclear fuel into reactors;
• unloading and transporting spent fuel, liquid and solid radioactive waste for reprocessing;
  
• storage of reloading equipment;
  
• revision of reactor plant equipment during reloading;
  
• ensuring the efficient operation of existing, under construction and future icebreakers and other facilities with reactor plants.
  

Its service area will be the western and eastern Arctic regions, including the Barents, White, Pechora, Kara Seas, the Laptev Sea, the East Siberian, Chukchi, Bering, Okhotsk Seas, and the northern part of the Sea of Japan. However, it is noted that the vessel has an unlimited area of operation.

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