Russian Zvezda shipyard begins construction Leader-class nuclear icebreaker.

Zvezda Shipyard in Bolshoi Kamen in the Far East began to cut metal for the first Leader-class nuclear icebreaker of project 10510. It has been ordered by Rosatom nuclear corporation, the Atomflot Company said.
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Rendering of Leader-class nuclear icebreaker of project 10510. (Picture source: Tass)

The Leader was designed by Iceberg Bureau and is the most powerful icebreaker in the world. Its capacity is 120 MW, the clean water speed is 22 knots. It is 209 meters long and 47.7 meters wide. The displacement is close to 69700 tons. Maximum ice thickness is 4.3 meters. It is powered by two RITM-400 reactors. It can lead vessels in two-meter thick ice at a speed of 11 knots and thus ensure effective operation of the Northern Sea Route.

"Rosatom supported the initiative of Rosatomflot to name the nuclear icebreaker as Russia," Atomflot CEO Mustafa Kashka said.

Rendering of Leader-class nuclear icebreaker of project 10510. (Picture source: Tass)

"The unique icebreaker has exceptional characteristics to operate year-round in the Eastern Arctic," he said.

The Leader can develop it into a year-round transportation route and the navigation will no longer depend on the weather and ice. The Leader is necessary to transport hydrocarbons from Yamal deposits to Asia and the Pacific Rim.

The contract for the icebreaker construction was signed on April 23, 2020. The icebreaker has to become operational in 2027.

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