Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Launches Russian Icebreaker

Illustration courtesy Arctech Helsinki

Finnish shipyard Arctech Helsinki on Wednesday celebrated the launch of a new icebreaker being built for the Russian government.

The vessel, named ‘Murmansk’, is part of a three-vessel series ordered by the Russian Ministry of Transport from the Vyborg Shipyard. For the Murmansk, basic design and purchasing of major components was be provided by Vyborg Shipyard as well as 40% of the hull blocks, while Arctech Helsinki, acting as the subcontractor, is responsible for construction, outfitting and commissioning.

”Icebreaker Murmansk, which was launched today, is of an icebreaker type in the Russian icebreaker renewal program intended both for the Baltic Sea as well as Arctic conditions. The vessel will be delivered later this year. The vessel is built in co-operation with Vyborg shipyard”, comments the Managing Director of Arctech Helsinki Shipyard, Esko Mustamäki.

The primary tasks of the Murmansk will be icebreaking, assisting heavy-tonnage vessels and towing through ice and open water. The vessel will be capable of operating in ice up to 1.5 meters thick and temperatures as cold as -40 degrees Celsius. The vessel will also be used for fire fighting, vessel rescue, and cargo transport.

The Murmansk measures 119.8 meters in length by 27.5 meters in breadth. The ship is equipped four main diesel generator sets have the total power of 27 MW. The total propulsion power is 17.4 MW consisting of two full-circle azimuth thrusters.

Delivery of the ship is scheduled for the fall of 2015.

In total, Arctech Helsinki is currently building six icebreaking vessels. This includes the Murmansk and also the the world´s first LNG-powered icebreaker being built the Finnish Transport Agency, an icebreaking supply vessel for Sovcomflot, and three icebreaking stand-by vessels.

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