$1.7 billion dollars each and is the only answer for opening up the Northern Sea Route.
I like to check in on various projects around the world as when things are too quiet there is normally something happening.
When President Putin signed his executive order to create the biggest ice breaking fleet in the world he wasn't playing games. The 2nd of 5 nuclear ice breaking vessels was let loose on New Years Eve. These are the most powerful vessels in the world and these are still babies considering what is still coming.
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This week showed these vessels even though they are nuclear powered are still no match for the serious thicker ice and need the bigger ice breakers to open the route up properly.
The Northern Sea Route is definitely not for the feint hearted as the conditions are beyond extreme. This is the middle of winter right now and what Putin had wished for having this route open 12 months of the year 24/7 will need some serious fire power.
this class of ice breaker is just too small and would have been better advised to go with the big boys instead.
The diesel ice breakers of the past are useless in these conditions as back in 2017 in the bay of Pevek three ships stayed stuck for 5 months including an ice breaker. Funny as the new nuclear ice breaker along with that same vessel that was stuck back in 2017 escorted 3 ships last week with only 2 escorted ships arriving at their destination, leaving one behind.
These are the conditions shipping companies around the world fear and this is what Russia cannot be advertising. This voyage with a nuclear ice breaker in the lead still took two weeks longer than expected. The Northern Sea Route is supposed to be a short cut saving in time and fuel and currently that seems true for the summer months only.
The only shipping happening at this point of time will be exports and supplying of building materials for key projects that need to be completed. Putin had ordered 5 new Nuclear ice breakers to be built, but even though they are the worlds most powerful they have limitations against these harsh conditions.
The next level is the Leader ice breaker which is 5 years away from seeing service. This beast eats ice for breakfast, lunch and supper travelling at 2 knots through 4 meter thick ice or 12 knots in 2m thick ice. This vessel has over 120 crew and can stay at sea for 8 months at a time. The reality is this is the vessel that will keep the Northern Sea Route open 365 days a year and not the fleet we are seeing right now. The cost of this monster is $1.7 Billion dollars and they are building 3 of them.
The vessels being built currently are pea shooters and working together maybe can maintain the route keeping it open. Are they ready to service the entire route is the big question and it looks like many will wait for the Leader class ice breakers before making that decision.
Putin is desperate to get the rest of the world using his route as it means Russia is open for business no matter the season. The news that climate change with global warming has made the route available seems more of a ruse to influence others to join him in this crazy quest. Putin needs the bays and ports open that are normally iced in for many months of the year in order to export Russias natural resources.
