A nuclear-powered ice breaker, which Russia says is the world’s largest and most powerful, began on a two-week journey to the Arctic as part of the country’s efforts to tap the area’s commercial potential.
“Arktika” left St. Petersburg and is headed for the Arctic port of Murmansk, says Reuters. Rosatomflot has called the ship the world’s largest and most powerful icebreaker. It is over 173 metres long, able to carry a crew of 53, and can break ice almost three-metres thick.
The ship is an effort by Russia to develop the Northern Sea Route. Namely, the country hopes the route to become a mini Suez Canal.
Before its voyage to the Arctic, the icebreaker was tested during sea trials in the stormy waters of the Gulf of Finland.
