15 orders for nuclear icebreaker assistance in 2011
Operator of the Russian nuclear ice breaker fleet Atomflot has so far received 15 orders for icebreaker escort on the Northern Sea Route in 2011, General Director Vyacheslav Ruksha says.
The recent successful journey through the Northeast Passage by the tanker “Baltica” has opened the eyes of shipping companies and cargo owners to this route, Ruksha said at a conference in St. Petersburg, Portnews.ru reports.
Read also: Northern Sea Route should not be expensive
“Baltica” left Murmansk on August 14 and reached Ninbo, China, on September 6. The tanker, loaded with 73 000 tons of gas condensate, spent 11 days on the journey from Murmansk to Pevek on the Chukotka Peninsula, 2500 nautical miles away.
Russia’s largest shipping company Sovcomflot plans to send the 70 000 tons tanker Mikhail Ylyanov through the Northeast Passage in May 2011, according to Vyacheslav Ruksha. The company also plans to use Suezmax and Panamax class tankers on the route.
Atomflot’s nuclear icebreakers are currently escorting the Danish bulk carrier ”MV Nordic Barents”, which is transporting iron ore from Kirkenes, Norway, to China.
Read also: “MV Nordic Barents” makes historical voyage
