A tanker being built by Wismar, Germany-based Nordic Yards for the Russian mining company Norilsk Nickel was launched on Tuesday.
The icebreaking arctic tanker 'Nordic AT 19' was commissioned by Norilsk Nickel, one of the ten largest companies in Russia, in February 2010. Construction of the tanker began in July 2010.
The next steps include the final completion of the machine room and superstructure before the ship is returned to the dock in the middle of July for final work. 'Nordic AT 19's' maiden voyage will take place in August 2011. The tanker will be delivered at the end of September 2011 and is to be used mainly on the northern Russian sea routes.
Specialising in year-round deployment in Arctic waters, this class of tanker is designed for operations in temperatures as low as -50°C and to break ice up to 1.50 metres thick at a speed of two knots. Its open water speed is 15.3 knots.
The vessel is about 170 metres long and has a beam of approximately 23 metres. With a deadweight of around 19,000 tonnes, it offers a cargo tank capacity of more than 20,600m³. The diesel electric machinery moves a gondola propeller that can revolve through 360°.