The "Ivan Papanin" multipurpose transport refrigerator, being developed by Yugreftransflot company from St. Petersburg, will be able to serve the infrastructure of the Northern Sea Route, scientific and military bases in the Arctic without icebreaker support thanks to the ice reinforcement of the hull and the electric propulsion system. Viktor Kot, the project officer, a member of the Board of Directors of the company, told TASS about this.

"Thanks to the advanced technical equipment, the transport refrigerator of the ARC-7 ice class of the ‘Ivan Papanin’ type will be high-speed in its ship class and will be able to serve the infrastructure of the Northern Sea Route, scientific and military facilities in the Arctic zone without icebreaker support," said Mr. Kot. "The vessel will be able to promptly deliver and unload cargoes, modules with repair shops, medical and residential units, as well as groups of specialists, with its own cranes."

He clarified that to protect against icing, the bow of the vessel will be protected by a caponier. Thanks to the new Azipod electric propulsion system and the ice reinforcement of the afterbody, the transport will be able to overcome ice up to 2.1 m thick, moving also by the stern. Such a refrigerator will be equipped with an ice radar station to build an optimal ice route.

According to Mr. Kot, vessels of the "Ivan Papanin" type will be environmentally friendly thanks to the use of a bi-fuel power plant with the ability to operate by means of both diesel and liquefied natural gas.