Two new icebreakers on the ways
Arctech Helsinki Shipyard has started construction of two new icebreakers for Russia’s largest shipping company Sovcomflot.
The two Multifunctional Icebreaking Supply Vessels (MIBSV) are planned to be ready by spring 2013 and will be used as supply vessels for Exxon Neftegas’ platform at the Sakhalin-1 field, Regnum reports.
Both vessels will be similar measuring 99.2 m in length and 21.7 m in breadth. Their four engines have the total power of 18,000 kW. The vessels are designed for extreme environmental conditions and will be operating in thick drifting ice in temperatures as cold as - 35°C. They have an icebreaking capability of 1.7 m thick ice and are also equipped for oil combating, fire fighting, and rescue operations.
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The joint-venture company Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy was set up by Russia and Finland in December 2010, as BarentsObserver reported. Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation and Finnish STX Finland have equal shares in the company.