RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin attended the flag-raising ceremony and the formal launch of two nuclear-powered icebreakers that will assist navigation in the Western Arctic, Reuters reports.
Presiding via video link from the Kremlin at the launch ceremony in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg in northern Russia, Putin said such icebreakers were of strategic importance for the country.
'Both icebreakers were laid down as part of a large serial project and are part of our large-scale, systematic work to re-equip and replenish the domestic icebreaker fleet, to strengthen Russia's status as a great Arctic power,' said President Putin.
Vast oil and gas resources lie in Russia's Arctic regions, including a liquefied natural gas plant on the Yamal Peninsula.
The 173.3-metre Yakutia, with a displacement of up to 33,540 tonnes, can smash through ice of up to three metres thick and will enter service in 2024.
Two other icebreakers in the same series, the Arktika and the Sibir, are already in service, and another, the Chukotka, is scheduled for 2026.
He said the 209-metre 71,380-ton displacement Rossiya would be completed by 2027. It will be able to break through ice four meters thick.
'They are needed for the study and development of the Arctic, to ensure safe, sustainable navigation in this region, to increase traffic along the Northern Sea Route,' said President Putin.
'The development of this most important transport corridor will allow russia to more fully unlock its export potential and establish efficient logistics routes, including to Southeast Asia.'
SeaNews Turkey
Presiding via video link from the Kremlin at the launch ceremony in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg in northern Russia, Putin said such icebreakers were of strategic importance for the country.
'Both icebreakers were laid down as part of a large serial project and are part of our large-scale, systematic work to re-equip and replenish the domestic icebreaker fleet, to strengthen Russia's status as a great Arctic power,' said President Putin.
Vast oil and gas resources lie in Russia's Arctic regions, including a liquefied natural gas plant on the Yamal Peninsula.
The 173.3-metre Yakutia, with a displacement of up to 33,540 tonnes, can smash through ice of up to three metres thick and will enter service in 2024.
Two other icebreakers in the same series, the Arktika and the Sibir, are already in service, and another, the Chukotka, is scheduled for 2026.
He said the 209-metre 71,380-ton displacement Rossiya would be completed by 2027. It will be able to break through ice four meters thick.
'They are needed for the study and development of the Arctic, to ensure safe, sustainable navigation in this region, to increase traffic along the Northern Sea Route,' said President Putin.
'The development of this most important transport corridor will allow russia to more fully unlock its export potential and establish efficient logistics routes, including to Southeast Asia.'
SeaNews Turkey
