Dock repair of the nuclear-powered icebreaker YAMAL
- Client: FSUE Atomflot
- Task: ACRUS® «Strong» ice-resistant coating application for the underwater part of the hull for nuclear icebreaker Yamal.
From 17 July 2019 to 5 September 2019, the underwater section of the nuclear-powered icebreaker Yamal was coated with the ice-resistant coating AKRUS® Strong in Murmansk.
The Yamal, an Arctic-class nuclear-powered icebreaker, was launched on 4 October 1989. The vessel was initially named "Octyabrskaya Revolutcia," but was subsequently renamed "Yamal" in 1992.
The icebreaker's primary duty is to escort cargo vessels along the Northern Sea Route. Additionally, it undertakes various critical missions in the Arctic. Notably, in 2000, Yamal participated in a cruise to the North Pole, commemorating the "meeting of the third millennium." Since then, Yamal has made annual voyages to the North Pole, completing a total of 46 cruises. A distinctive feature of the vessel is the shark's mouth design on the bow, added as a design element for a children's cruise and retained at the request of travel companies.
The icebreaker is equipped with one Mi-8T helicopter and several Zodiac-class lifeboats, which are used for tourist landings on Arctic islands and sailing along the ice edge.
The vessel's specifications are as follows:
- Length overall: 150 meters
- Beam: 30 meters
- Depth: 17.2 meters
- Draft: 11.0 meters
- Displacement: 23,000 tons
- Hull thickness: 32mm to 48mm along the ice belt
- Speed in ice: 2.25 meters at 2 knots
- Maximum speed in clear water: 20.8 knots
- Maximum speed in ice: 2 to 20.8 knots
- Main engine capacity: 75,000 horsepower
Home port: Murmansk. Shipowner: Atomflot.
During the dock repair of the nuclear-powered icebreaker Yamal, an ice-resistant coating was utilised, namely AKRUS® Strong. This coating exhibits a high resistance to mechanical breakdowns and abrasion, as well as a perfectly smooth surface that reduces the friction of the hull during working in ice. The coating has been developed for use on ships operating in extremely low temperatures, with a maximum operating temperature of -60°C. It is recommended that AKRUS® coatings be used on ships that operate in ice conditions and in aggressive marine environments.
