Providing assistance for the expedition of the continental shelf
The nuclear icebreaker “Vaygach” left the base of FSUE “Atomflot” and took a course to the area of the Cape Zhelaniya. There the shallow-draft vessel will meet the Norwegian diesel icebreaker Tor Viking and provide the icebreaking support to the Chukchi Sea. Now on the Northern Sea Route water area has already been working the nuclear icebreaker “Yamal”. The atomic-powered vessel provides pilotage of two tankers to port of Pevek.
Upon the arrival of the Rosatomflot’s icebreakers to Chukotka, will be formed a return caravan. The “Vaygach” and the “Yamal” will follow together. The “Vaygach” will return to Murmansk no sooner than in four months.
The Deputy General Director of the FSUE “Atomflot” for fleet operations Andrei Smirnov says: “from August the icebreaker “Yamal” will provide assistance for the expedition to the outer boundary of the continental shelf. The completion of this program is scheduled to November-December this year.“
Currently, all existing nuclear-powered icebreakers belonging to the Rosatomflot are provided with work. On July 1, the atomic icebreaker “50 Let Pobedy” was released in the second this year cruise to the North Pole. Totally, in 2014 there will be five such tours. After August 17, the “50 Let Pobedy” will join the icebreaking pilotages on the Northern Sea Route.
Now, the icebreaker “Taimyr” has been involved into the program of construction the port of Sabetta of the “Yamal LNG” project. When the ice period in this area will end, the icebreaker will go to operate on the contract with the company “Karmorneftegaz.” This brunch enterprise of the companies “Rosneft” and ExxonMobil plans to start drilling the exploration wells in the Novaya Zemlya.
Source: Northern Sea Route Information Office
