NS Sibir icebreaker

NS Sibir ("атомный ледокол Сибирь") is a new design (and the world's largest) Russian nuclear icebreaker. "NS" stands for "nuclear ship". The vessel is state-owned (by the Russian Federation via FSUE Atomflot) and operated by Rosatom. The Atomflot company provides all Russian nuclear icebreakers with maintenance and technological services. The company also serves the country's special vessel fleet.

The vessel (IMO number 9774422) is Russia-flagged (MMSI 273123123) and registered in Murmansk.

Besides NS Sibir, the list of other active Russian nuclear icebreaker ships includes Rossiya (2027/Project Leader), Ural (2022/sistership), Arktika (2020/sistership), Yakutia (2024/sistership), Chukotka (2026/sistership), Leningrad (2028/sistership), Stalingrad (2030/sistership), Taymyr (1989), Vaygach (1990), Yamal (1992), 50 Let Pobedy (2007).

Among the newest and largest Russian icebreakers, Sibir is the 2nd of the "Project 22220" ships (often called LK-60Ya). This is a special class of 7x nuclear-powered icebreakers designed and constructed in Russia.

Being the second in the series, NS Sibir's construction/assembly started with the keel-laying ceremony on May 26, 2015. The vessel (hull/yard number 05707) was launched/floated out from drydock on September 22, 2017, and was officially delivered/commissioned on December 24, 2021. NS Sibir is in service since January 2022.

These ships are currently the world's ever-biggest and most powerful icebreakers, surpassing the "nuclear cruise ship" 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory) by length (14 m longer) and width (4 m wider).

Negotiations between the Russian companies Atomflot and USC (United Shipbuilding Corporation) have been lengthy. In early 2013, the federal government allocated RUB (rubles) 86,1 billion (or ~USD 1,3 billion) for the project. Rosatom (also state-owned corporation) insisted that the two ice-breaking ships should have a total building cost of RUB 77,5 billion (~USD 1,2 billion). However, the offer was declined by the shipbuilder Baltic Shipyard (aka Baltiisky Yard). A second tender with an adjusted shipbuilding price of RUB 84,4 billion was announced in Dec 2013.

Due to the vessel's dual-draft (8,7 m / 10,5 m), Sibir icebreaker's itinerary program is based on Northern Sea Route shipping assistance and includes Arctic Russia sea navigation as well as polar river services. The ship's operational regions in the Arctic Ocean include Barents Sea, Kara Seas, Pechora River, Yenisei River estuary, Ob River (Gulf of Ob).

Russia's nuclear fleet of ice-breaking vessels is used exclusively in the Arctic Ocean for escorting merchant ships and assisting research stations floating in the ice-covered waters north of Siberia. These ships are also used for scientific and Arctic cruise expeditions. The Russian nuclear ice-breakers must sail in ice-cold waters to effectively cool their reactors.

NS Sibir vessel details

Project 22220 class Russian nuclear ships have minimal draught 8,6 m (28 ft) and max draught 10,5 m (34 ft). The dual-draft design makes these vessels capable of operating in both the Arctic Ocean and in ice-covered rivers.

Project 22220 icebreakers are equipped with two RITM-200 nuclear reactors with a total of 350 MW thermal capacity. The propulsion power output is 1100 MW. The previous design was for 60 MW output (the reason why this class is alternatively known as "LK-60"). RITM-200 model is a pressurized water reactor developed by OKBM Afrikantov (Russian mechanical engineering company) and designed to produce power output 55 MWe (megawatt electrical). RITM-200 uses up to 20% enriched uranium-235. The reactor is refueled every 7 years and has planned lifespan 40 years. RITM-200 is also used to power Russia's newest and most powerful aircraft carriers (Project 23000E).

Sibir ship's maximum ice-breaking capability is 2,8 m (9 ft) at cruising speed between 1,5-2 knots (2,8 kph / 1,7 mph).

In May 2015 was reported that Russia made a decision on the development of the design for its newest nuclear-powered icebreakers to be able to move across Arctic ice of thickness up to 4.5 m / 15 ft. The icebreaker features propulsion power of 110 MW. Russia's new icebreakers are nearly twice as powerful as Project 22220 nuclear ships.

The steel for the Sibir ship (thick plate "Mill 5000") was supplied by the MMK company (Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works). The company is one of the world's largest producers and supplies with steel over 50% of Russia's shipbuilding. Steel plate "Mill 5000" is used for manufacturing Russia's naval fleet, as well as for building tankers and ice-class vessels. The steel is certified internationally, including by Lloyd's Register and Bureau Veritas.

Next photo is of the old NS Sibir.

The old Sibir (1977-built) was decommissioned in 1992. NS Sibir (IMO 7604491) belonged to the Arktika-class nuclear ships - the world's largest and most powerful ever built. The ship was also state-owned but operated by MSCO (Murmansk Shipping Company, later transferred to Atomflot).

The old icebreaker was one of all 10 Russian nuclear ships. It was also among the 6 vessels of this class - together with the old Arktika (1975-2008), Rossiya (1982), Sovetskiy Soyuz (1990), Yamal (1992) and 50 Let Pobedy (2007).

A curious fact is, that the old NS Sibir was Russia's only nuclear icebreaker with a superstructure not painted in red. Being retired in 1992, the ship was last seen in 2012 moored in Murmansk (northwest Russia) and awaiting its planned scrapping.

NS Sibir vessel has 1 dining room, Sauna, Library, Auditorium, Passenger Lounge, Volleyball Court, Gymnasium, 1 swimming pool (indoor, heated), Infirmary, 1 elevator, 1 helipad (helicopter deck) with a Mi-2 transport helicopter.

• DWT Deadweight tonnage: 9000 tons
• Displacement tonnage: 33540 tons
• Clear path width: 50 m (164 ft)
• Draught: 8,6 m (28 ft min), 10,5 m (35 ft max)
• Height: 52 m (171 ft)
• Icebreaking capacity: 2,8 m (9 ft)
• Ice-class 9 (highest)
• Lifespan: 40 years (designated service life)
• Range: unlimited
• Powerplant: 2x RITM-200 nuclear reactors (175 MW each/total power output 350 MW)
• Propulsion: 3 shafts (combined power output 110 MW)

Russia's Project 22220 ships have an endurance of 6 months (provisions) and 7 years (nuclear reactor fuel).

Note: In the case of poor AIS coverage, tracking the vessel's current location is impossible.

You can see CruiseMapper's list of all icebreakers and ice-breaking research ships in the "itinerary" section of our Icebreakers hub. All states and their fleets are listed there.