Russia on Tuesday inaugurated a new nuclear-powered icebreaker that should facilitate its exports of hydrocarbons to Asia via the Arctic, at a time when Moscow is refocusing its energy strategy due to Western sanctions against its offensive in Ukraine.
This new nuclear-powered ship, over 170 meters long, can break ice up to three meters deep. It is the third copy in a series released by the atomic power giant Rosatom.
Securing Russian supremacy in the Arctic
Named “Ural” in homage to the Russian region of the Urals (central west), it can carry up to 54 crew members, according to Rosatom.
Its deployment should make it possible to ensure Russian supremacy in the Arctic, a strategy assumed by Vladimir Putin, while Moscow faces the ambitions of other powers. According to Vladimir Putin, the “Ural” will operate “starting in December” in the Arctic, a region where Russia produces liquefied natural gas (LNG) initially destined for Europe.
Redirect your shipments to Asia
But the country, the world’s top gas exporter and second-largest oil exporter, now wants to redirect its hydrocarbon shipments to Asia, while the European Union has decided on a phased embargo on its Russian oil imports and greatly reduced import restrictions. of gas to protest against the Russian attack on Ukraine.
One of the routes through the icy waters of the Arctic, the “Northern Sea Route”, is now easier to navigate due to melting ice caused by climate change. Moscow hopes it will allow increased transportation of hydrocarbons to Southeast Asia by connecting the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans.
Russia, the only builder and operator of nuclear icebreakers in the world, also launched this Tuesday the “Yakutia”, from the same series as the “Ural”, but its entry into actual service is not expected until “the end of 2024”, according to Vladimir Putin.
A gigantic Russian nuclear-powered ship, more than 200 meters long, will also see the light of day in 2027.
Source: BFM TV
