World’s Largest Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker Completes Stage One Sea Trials

Photo courtesy ROSATOM

Russia’s largest and most powerful nuclear-powered icebreaker has returned from its first round of sea trials before its planned delivery in 2020. 

The icebreaker, named Arktika, is under construction at Russia’s Baltic Shipyard in St. Petersburg. 

The vessel will displace 33,540 tonnes and is equipped with two nuclear reactors each with 175 MW thermal capacity, making it the largest and most powerful icebreaker in the world. 

The icebrekaer is first in Russia’s project 22220 which is planned to produce three nuclear-powered icebreakers for Russia’s state nuclear agency ROSATOM. 

The Arktika departed St. Petersburg to the Gulf of Finland on December, returning two days later after completing testing of the ship’s generators, navigation and communications systems. 

A final stage of sea trials is scheduled in March-April 2020 followed by delivery planned for May 2020. 

Once delivered, Arktika will become the largest and most powerful icebreaker in the world, used for ship escort and icebreaking in the Russian Arctic. 

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