Reducing the Costs of Construction and Exploitation of the Vessels of the Russian Ice Fleet

Abstract

This study is dedicated to examining new requirements for the vessels that operate in the northern seas and provides a method for assessing the reduction of the costs of construction and exploitation of shipbuilding technologies by altering the regulations. Aim. The existing Regulations of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping have become obsolete. The intensive development of the Arctic fleet prompts not only these regulations to be updated and improved, but also new regulations to be developed. Tasks. This study aims to assess the financial and economic factors in the regulation of the ice durability standard for ships and icebreakers, the reduction of the costs of construction and exploitation of the vessels of the ice fleet by specifying the allowance for corrosion and abrasion wear of the hulls of Arctic vessels, cost reduction by reducing the weight of ice strengthening constructions through the implementation of forward strength calculation and specification of calculated ice loads. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition to identify and systematize major prerequisites for the development of new regulations for ice-class vessels operating in the northern seas. Results. Modern shipbuilding requires new technical standards that would make it possible to reduce the costs of construction of ice-class vessels without compromising their safety. The new regulations of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping are aimed at the current requirements of the industry and make it possible to design and build ice-class vessels with maximum efficiency. Conclusion. A steep increase in the volume of goods transported via the Northeast Passage along with the improving efficiency of transport operations requires the cost per ton of cargo to be reduced. In this regard, the study examines the possibility of reducing the costs of construction and exloitation of the vessels of the ice fleet.