Rosatom’s Atomflot marks the 65th anniversary of the world’s only nuclear icebreaker fleet. This milestone commemorates the launch of Lenin, the world’s first nuclear-powered icebreaker, on December 3, 1959, a groundbreaking event that unlocked the transportation potential of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and revolutionized Arctic navigation. Lenin was a pioneering vessel powered by two nuclear reactors, with a total thermal capacity of 318 MW and a delivered horsepower of 32 MW, and could operate for up to four years without refueling. During its service for over 30 years’ service, the icebreaker covered 654,000 nautical miles and escorted 3,741 ships through treacherous Arctic ice. Today, Lenin is docked at the Murmansk seaport as a museum, attracting over 60,000 visitors annually to its exhibition center dedicated to Russia’s nuclear icebreaker fleet.
Rosatom celebrates the 65th anniversary of its nuclear icebreaker fleet
