OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2012. Vyborg Shipyard started steel cutting for two base sections of the 1st out of two contracted diesel-powered sea-going icebreakers. The works are carried out one month ahead of schedule. State contracting authority is Federal Agency of Marine and River Transport, building owner - FSUE "Rosmorport".

Keel laying of the 1st Icebreaker is planned for the middle of October. Steel cutting for the 2nd Icebreaker will be started in 2013.

Icebreaker project 21900M is a two-decker of unrestricted navigation with two full-revolving rudder propellers and bow thruster. Displacement about 10 000 t. Length 116 m, width 26,5 m. Icebreaking capability up to 1.5 m. Purpose of the Vessel: independent ice escorting of heavy-tonnage vessels; towage, fire fighting on floaters and other facilities; salvage and assistance to distressed vessels; transportation of cargos. Delivery dates: May and October, 2015. The Icebreakers 21900M are intended for operation in the Baltic Sea.