OREANDA-NEWS. August 31, 2012.   Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) has signed a contract with Vyborg Shipyard (VSZ) on classification of new generation icebreakers of Project 21900M that will be built at the shipyard, the RS press release said.

The vessels will be classed to: KM Icebreaker6 [2] AUT1-ICS FF2 BWM EPP ECO HELIDECK Special Purpose Ship and will sail under the Russian flag.

The 21900M project icebreaker, a double-decked vessel of unlimited navigation area, has a helipad and is equipped with twin controllable-pitch screws, twin rudders and bow thruster. Ship’s general characteristics: gross tonnage - 11,649 tons, DWT – 5340, length overall – 119.8 m, breadth - 27.5 m, draft – 12.4m. The icebreaker will be able to cut channels through ice of up to 1.5 meters in thickness. The ships will be utilized for escort of large-tonnage cargo vessels, towing, fire fighting on floating structures and other facilities, for salvage of stricken ships and transportation of cargo. The two newbuilds are scheduled for delivery in May and October 2015. The 21900M project vessels will be operating in the Baltic.

The Russian classification society will perform technical monitoring of the icebreakers construction pursuant to the RS regulations and international conventions, including the examination of hull, of machinery, electrical and automation equipment. RS also will take part in dock-side and sea trials. Upon successful completion of all these examinations and trials the society will hand out classification certificates and a package of convention documents.

The Project 21900M icebreakers will be built in the framework of the Federal Target Program "Development of Transport System of Russia (2010-2015)". The icebreakers construction is expected to be completed in October 2015 and will be handed over to Rosmorport.

Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) created in 1913 has become a leading classification society. PS activity is aimed at ensuring the safety of navigation, safety of life at sea, prevention of pollution from ships. RS is recognized by the European Union and is a member of IACS, an associate member of INTERTANKO and BIMCO INTERCARGO. PS has performed classification and technical verification of the icebreakers and ice sailing vessels for almost 100 years.

Vyborg Shipyard (OJSC Vyborg Shipbuilding Plant) is a largest shipbuilding firm in Russia’s North-West region specializing in building drilling rigs for offshore deposits development and vessels of small and medium tonnage.