NS Arktika icebreaker

NS Arktika (“атомный ледокол Арктика”) is a next-generation Russian nuclear icebreaker and, at the time of her completion, the world’s largest vessel of this type. “NS” stands for “nuclear ship”. The vessel is state-owned (Russian Federation via FSUE Atomflot) and operated by Rosatom. Atomflot provides maintenance and technological services for all Russian nuclear icebreakers and also manages the country’s special-purpose vessel fleet.

The vessel (IMO number 9694725) is Russia-flagged (MMSI 273210920) and registered in Murmansk.

Besides NS Arktika, Russia’s active nuclear icebreaker fleet includes Rossiya (2027/Project Leader), Sibir (2021), Ural (2022), Yakutia (2024), Chukotka (2026), Leningrad (2028), Stalingrad (2030), Taymyr (1989), Vaygach (1990), Yamal (1992) and 50 Let Pobedy (2007).

Arktika is the 1st vessel of the “Project 22220” class (LK-60Ya), a series of seven nuclear-powered icebreakers designed and built in Russia.

Construction officially began with the keel-laying ceremony on November 5, 2013. NS Arktika (hull/yard number 05706) was launched/floated out on June 16, 2016, and delivered/commissioned on October 21, 2020. She was originally scheduled to enter service in June 2019.

These sisterships are the world’s largest and most powerful icebreakers, surpassing the “nuclear cruise ship” 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory) by 14 m in length and 4 m in width.

Negotiations between Atomflot and USC (United Shipbuilding Corporation) were extensive. In early 2013, the federal government allocated RUB 86.1 billion (~USD 1.3 billion) for the project. Rosatom proposed a total cost of RUB 77.5 billion (~USD 1.2 billion) for two vessels, but the offer was declined by the Baltic Shipyard (Baltiyskiy Yard). A second tender with a revised cost of RUB 84.4 billion was announced in December 2013.

Because of their dual-draft capability (8.7 m / 10.5 m), Project 22220 vessels support both deep-sea Arctic navigation and shallow river estuary operations. Arktika’s deployment program covers Northern Sea Route escort services and includes operations in the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Pechora Sea, the Yenisei estuary and the Ob River (Gulf of Ob).

Russia’s nuclear icebreaker fleet is used exclusively in the Arctic Ocean to escort merchant vessels and support research stations in ice-covered waters north of Siberia. These ships also participate in scientific missions and Arctic cruise expeditions. Nuclear icebreakers must sail in cold waters to maintain optimal reactor cooling.

NS Arktika vessel details

Project 22220 nuclear icebreakers have a minimum draught of 8.6 m (28 ft) and a maximum draught of 10.5 m (34 ft), allowing operation in both deep Arctic waters and ice-covered rivers.

Each vessel is powered by two RITM-200 nuclear reactors with a combined thermal capacity of 350 MW. Propulsion output is 110 MW. The previous generation produced 60 MW, which is why the class is also known as “LK-60”. The RITM-200, developed by OKBM Afrikantov, is a pressurized water reactor designed to produce 55 MWe (megawatt electrical). It uses up to 20% enriched uranium-235, is refueled every 7 years, and has a planned service life of 40 years. This reactor type also powers Russia’s newest aircraft carriers (Project 23000E).

Arktika’s maximum icebreaking capability is 2.8 m (9 ft) at a cruising speed of 1.5–2 knots (2.8 kph / 1.7 mph).

In May 2015, Russia announced plans for a new generation of nuclear icebreakers capable of breaking Arctic ice up to 4.5 m (15 ft) thick. These future vessels will feature propulsion output of 110 MW—nearly twice that of the Project 22220 ships.

The steel used for NS Arktika (“Mill 5000” plate) was supplied by Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK), one of the world’s largest steel manufacturers and the supplier of more than half of Russia’s shipbuilding steel. “Mill 5000” plate is used for constructing naval vessels, tankers and ice-class ships and is certified by Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas.

The photo below shows the old NS Arktika.

The vessel’s namesake, built in 1975, was decommissioned in 2008. The old NS Arktika (IMO 7429061) belonged to the Arktika-class nuclear ships—at the time, the world’s largest and most powerful. The ship was state-owned but operated by MSCO (Murmansk Shipping Company), later transferred to Atomflot. She was one of ten Russian nuclear vessels and one of six ships in her class, together with Sibir (1977–1992), Rossiya (1982), Sovetskiy Soyuz (1990), Yamal (1992) and 50 Let Pobedy (2007).

NS Arktika features 1 dining room, Sauna, Library, Auditorium, Passenger Lounge, Volleyball Court, Gymnasium, 1 heated indoor swimming pool, Infirmary, 1 elevator, and 1 helipad supporting a Mi-2 transport helicopter.

• DWT (Deadweight): 9000 tons
• Displacement: 33,540 tons
• Clear path width: 50 m (164 ft)
• Draught: 8.6 m (min), 10.5 m (max)
• Height: 52 m (171 ft)
• Icebreaking capability: 2.8 m (9 ft)
• Ice-class: 9 (highest)
• Lifespan: 40 years
• Range: unlimited
• Powerplant: 2 × RITM-200 nuclear reactors (175 MW each / 350 MW total)
• Propulsion: 3 shafts (110 MW total)

Project 22220 vessels have an endurance of 6 months (provisions) and 7 years (nuclear reactor fuel).

Note: In areas with limited AIS coverage, tracking the vessel’s real-time position may be impossible.

You can view CruiseMapper’s complete list of icebreakers and icebreaking research ships in the “itinerary” section of our Icebreakers hub.