Atomflot's Marine Operations Headquarters told how scientists see the Arctic in the next half century
Now two modern, most powerful and largest universal icebreakers in the world of Project 22220 are operating on the Northern Sea Route: in 2020, the Russian flag was raised on the Arktika, and on January 25, 2022, on the Siberia.
At the same time, skeptics say that Russia does not need such ships, the construction of which takes years, because global warming will make its own adjustments and by the time all the 22220 series icebreakers are built, there will simply be no ice left in the Arctic.
Before launching the project, Rosatom ordered a study on the situation in the Arctic for the next half century from the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of Roshydromet.
- Scientists have confirmed that the ice will not melt and icebreakers shall be built. Nature in the North is cyclical. Each cycle of thaw and cold is repeated. We've been seeing warming lately, and now it's starting to return to normal and cool down. According to the study, cycles range from 12 to 32 years, depending on global processes. Unfortunately, the human eye is not able to see global warming. I do not see that the ice has decreased and we can walk without icebreakers. And last year the ice-breaking period was longer, almost two months. This year is different, - said Vladimir Harutyunyan, head of Marine Operations Headquarters - deputy director for shipping.
The headquarters directs the piloting of ships along the Northern Sea Route, taking into account the ice situation.
According to Vladimir Harutyunyan, now in the Arctic they observe not an anomaly, but an approximation to the average annual values. If in 2021 it was easier to navigate along the Northern Sea Route, 2022 will be similar to 2015. In recent weeks in the North ships had to face such heavy snowstorms that one has to move with the help of radar.
Let us recall: the 22220 series involves five icebreakers. But Atomflot reported that 10-11 ships are needed for large-scale work on the Northern Sea Route.
Source: WWW.MURMANSK.KP.RU