NS Ural icebreaker

NS Ural ("атомный ледокол Урал") 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. Atomflot provides maintenance and technological services for all Russian nuclear icebreakers and also serves the country’s special-purpose vessel fleet.

The vessel (IMO number 9658642) is Russia-flagged (MMSI 273618600) and registered in Murmansk.

Besides NS Ural, other active Russian nuclear icebreakers include Rossiya (2027/Project Leader), Sibir (2021/sistership), Arktika (2020/sistership), Yakutia (2024/sistership), Chukotka (2026/sistership), Leningrad (2028/sistership), Stalingrad (2030/sistership), Taymyr (1989), Vaygach (1990), Yamal (1992), and 50 Let Pobedy (2007).

Among the newest and largest Russian icebreakers, Ural is the third of the “Project 22220” ships (also known as LK-60Ya). This class comprises seven nuclear-powered icebreakers designed and constructed in Russia.

As the third unit in the series, NS Ural’s construction officially started with the keel-laying ceremony on July 25, 2016, and she was originally planned to enter service in 2020. The vessel (hull/yard number 05708) was launched (floated out from drydock) on May 25, 2019, and delivered and commissioned on November 22, 2022.

These sisterships are currently the world’s largest and most powerful icebreakers ever built, surpassing the nuclear-powered icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory) by 14 m in length and 4 m in beam.

Negotiations between the Russian companies Atomflot and USC (United Shipbuilding Corporation) were lengthy. In early 2013, the federal government allocated RUB 86.1 billion (~USD 1.3 billion) for the project. Rosatom (also a state-owned corporation) insisted that the two icebreaking vessels should have a total construction cost of RUB 77.5 billion (~USD 1.2 billion), but this proposal was declined by the shipbuilder. A second tender, with an adjusted shipbuilding price of RUB 84.4 billion, was announced in December 2013.

Due to the vessel’s dual draught (8.7 m / 10.5 m), Ural’s operational program is focused on Northern Sea Route shipping assistance and includes Arctic sea navigation as well as polar river services. Her operating areas in the Arctic Ocean include the Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Pechora River, Yenisei River 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 operating in ice-covered waters north of Siberia. These ships are also employed for scientific missions and Arctic cruise expeditions. Russian nuclear icebreakers must operate in ice-cold waters to ensure effective cooling of their reactors.

NS Ural vessel details

Project 22220 class Russian nuclear ships have a minimum draught of 8.6 m (28 ft) and a maximum draught of 10.5 m (34 ft). The dual-draught design allows these vessels to operate both in the Arctic Ocean and in ice-covered rivers.

Project 22220 icebreakers are equipped with two RITM-200 nuclear reactors with a combined thermal capacity of 350 MW. Propulsion power output is 110 MW. The previous design delivered 60 MW, which is why this class is also known as “LK-60.” The RITM-200 is a pressurized water reactor developed by OKBM Afrikantov and designed to produce 55 MWe (megawatts electrical). It uses up to 20% enriched uranium-235, is refueled every seven years, and has a planned service life of 40 years. The RITM-200 is also intended for use on Russia’s newest aircraft carrier designs (Project 23000E).

Ural’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, it was reported that Russia decided to develop a new generation of nuclear-powered icebreakers capable of operating in Arctic ice up to 4.5 m (15 ft) thick. These future icebreakers are planned with propulsion power of 110 MW and will be nearly twice as powerful as Project 22220 nuclear ships.

The steel used for the Ural (thick plate “Mill 5000”) was supplied by MMK (Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works), one of the world’s largest steel producers, supplying over 50% of Russia’s shipbuilding steel. “Mill 5000” steel plate is used in the construction of Russia’s naval fleet, as well as tankers and ice-class vessels, and is internationally certified, including by Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas.

NS Ural features one dining room, sauna, library, auditorium, passenger lounge, volleyball court, gymnasium, one indoor heated swimming pool, infirmary, one elevator, and a helipad accommodating a Mi-2 transport helicopter.

• DWT (deadweight tonnage): 9,000 tons
• Displacement: 33,540 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 capability: 2.8 m (9 ft)
• Ice class: 9 (highest)
• Design service life: 40 years
• Range: unlimited
• Endurance: up to 6 months (provisions) and up to 7 years (nuclear reactor fuel)
• Powerplant: 2x RITM-200 nuclear reactors (175 MW each / 350 MW total)
• Propulsion: three shafts (combined output 110 MW)

Project 22220 ships have an endurance of up to six months for provisions and up to seven years for nuclear reactor fuel.

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

You can find CruiseMapper’s list of all icebreakers and icebreaking research ships in the “itinerary” section of our Icebreakers hub, where fleets of all operating states are listed.