Challenges of Speedy Icebreaker-Assisted Operation of Heavy-Tonnage Vessels in Ice

The Arctic plays a key role in the economic development of Russia. This region is fabulously rich with hydrocarbons and biological resources. One of the strategic goals in commercialization of the Arctic region is setting up of efficient transportation systems for year round navigation via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) to support shipment of various cargoes [1]. According to the latest studies, cargo vessels should be able to travel through NSR at speeds reaching 12 knots to make it a commercially competitively route. Highspeed moving can allow NSR to become competitive route as compared to the southbound route via Suez. It should be noted that ice conditions on this route are quite severe. Navigation in NSR of even ice-capable cargo carriers with icebreaker assistance will enable to increase the effectiveness of this shortcut shipping itinerary between Europe and the Pacific coast. For this purpose a novel nuclear Leader icebreaker has been designed, which, according to model tests in the Krylov Centre ice basin, will be able to sail in 2-meter continuous ice at 12 knots. The investigations of ship performance in ice at fast speeds are quite new and should be conducted very carefully. This paper focuses on some specific features of dynamic behaviour predicted for an icebreaker and a large-size vessel led by this icebreaker during speedy sailing in ice. It also discusses other important issues related to minimum power level requirement for vessels operating under these conditions as well as due account of the hydrodynamic resistance component in ice performance predictions.