The lead universal nuclear icebreaker (GUAL) "Arktika" (part of the Rosatom enterprise "Atomflot") has completed its farthest passage in the eastern direction - to the port of Pevek (Chukotka Autonomous Okrug). This was announced on Saturday by the communications department of FSUE Atomflot.
With the assistance of the Kapitan Dranitsyn diesel-electric icebreaker, the Arktika GUAL completed the pilotage of the Yury Arshenevsky and Engineer Trubin motor ships. The ships delivered general cargo to Chukotka for companies implementing investment projects in the region, Atomflot reported. "For the first time, the lead universal nuclear icebreaker Arktika passed to the water area of the port of Pevek. The vessel confirmed its compliance with the design characteristics of icebreaking capability. This assistance of the fleet is a good experience of operating a universal nuclear icebreaker. The crew of the nuclear-powered icebreaker learned the capabilities of the vessel for further planning of activities ", - General Director of Atomflot Mustafa Kashka commented on this event.
On December 18, 2021, at the western edge of the Kara Sea ice, the Arctic icebreaker led a convoy of three ships (Yuri Arshenevsky, Polar King, Inzhener Trubin). Diesel-electric icebreaker "Kapitan Dranitsyn" has joined the pilotage of ships. On December 28, near the island of New Siberia in the East Siberian Sea, the motor ship "Polar King" left the caravan and went into a safe drift. “We did this in order to speed up the arrival of ships at the port of Pevek for the prompt start of unloading,” said Vladimir Harutyunyan, Chief of the Marine Operations Headquarters - Deputy Director for Shipping of FSUE Atomflot.
GUAL "Arktika" had the "Yuri Arshenevsky" ship in tow, and the "Kapitan Dranitsyn" icebreaker had the Inzhener Trubin motor ship. It is expected that the unloading of the vessels will take up to ten days, during which time the Arktika will bring the Polar King to Pevek. At the moment the issue of icebreaker assistance from east to west is being worked out, according to the message of Atomflot. The headquarters of maritime operations is studying the possibility of forming a new fleet.
Source: TASS