History and prospects for the development of the icebreaking fleet: significance for Russia and the world

Abstract

As world experience shows, from a geographical point of view there are many settlements, the access to which is mainly possible by sea transport ensuring the delivery of large volumes of goods. Quite often it is possible to get to the areas blocked by a thickness of ice only using icebreaking equipment. The development of the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route, ensuring the security of the state, and the growth of Arctic transportation are priority areas in the maritime policy of states with access to ice-covered waters. Therefore, the issues related to the development of the icebreaking fleet are quite relevant and significant. The purpose of the study is to show the development stages of the icebreaking fleet and determine its significance for Russia and other countries. The authors set the task of analyzing, systematizing and summarizing the world’s most significant studies for science and the shipping industry on the development of the icebreaking fleet, key trends in the construction of icebreakers, as well as the prospects for the development and renewal of icebreaking in general. The study utilized theoretical research methods (system method, construction from the general to the specific, etc.). The discussion of the study results is widely tested through scientific and practical discussion not only at all-Russian, but also at international conferences, symposia, round tables on the development of the icebreaking fleet. The study examined the history of the construction of the largest icebreakers known to the world, the modern state of the icebreaking fleet on the example of the Russian Federation and revealed certain features of the construction of nuclear icebreakers. Conclusions were made on the need to increase the environmental friendliness of icebreakers, on the role of the icebreaking fleet for state economies. The study provides characteristics of a number of icebreakers that allow assessing the development dynamics and the current state of the icebreaking fleet (including in Russia). The issues related to improving the maneuvering characteristics of icebreakers were considered, as well as the connection between the use of the icebreaking fleet and research and rescue operations in the Arctic zone was revealed.