Russia’s demand for nuclear icebreakers to be determined

The Center for Strategic Development will evaluate Russia’s demand for new-generation super-heavy nuclear-powered icebreakers Lider (Project 10510) for the purposes of freight transportation along the Northern Sea Route, The Arctic informed.

The center is also expected to develop a financial and economic model for the construction and operations of the icebreakers, RIA Novosti reports. The survey has been ordered by Atomflot, a company owned by the Rosatom State Corporation.

In particular, the center’s experts will have to determine the demand by evaluating the socioeconomic and budget effects of the construction and operation of two 10510 Lider new-generation nuclear-powered icebreakers for marine freight transportation through the Russian Arctic, including along the Northern Sea Route.

Further, the center will analyse the current and prospective necessity for using the nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet on the Northern Sea Route, which includes evaluating the current and potential (by 2030) volume of the freight transported via the Northern Sea Route and other key competing routes.

It is also necessary to develop a financial and economic model for the construction and operations of these nuclear-powered icebreakers to ensure that marine transportation in the Russian Arctic, including via the Northern Sea Route, based on several funding options for the Lider project, one of which is private-public partnership.

The new nuclear-powered icebreakers are to ensure year-round navigation on the Northern Sea Route and expeditions to the Arctic. Due to the icebreakers’ extensive width, it will be possible to guide heavy-tonnage vessels through the ice.

The first Project 10510 icebreaker may be built by 2030, The Arctic said.