Russia tests nuclear-powered icebreaker in step toward tapping Arctic coast oil & gas reserves

Arktika, Russia’s nuclear-powered icebreaker, recently completed a two-day test run. The 570-foot-high vessel, which will transport liquified natural gas from the Arctic, used diesel on its first trip.  The functionality and maneuverability were tested on this first run, said Mustafa Kashka, general director of Atomflot, the company that runs Russia’s icebreaking fleet, in an article on TechXplore.com.

The ship, which can cut through 2.8 meters of ice, is part of a planned fleet in Russia’s arctic coast, the article reports. The Russian Arctic coast is known to hold reserves of oil and gas, which Russia and other countries are looking to reach.

The planned fleet will allow Russia to more easily deliver fuels to South East Asia, it adds.

Arktika will undergo final tests in March and April 2020, and is scheduled to start sailing in May 2020. Two similar vessels are currently under construction.