Reuters: US considers using Russian nuclear icebreakers for Alaska projects

In preparation for the meeting of the US President Donald Trump з Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the US side considered the possibility of using Russian nuclear icebreakers to support gas and LNG projects in Alaska. About this writes Reuters, citing informed sources.

According to the agency's sources, the idea of using icebreakers was discussed among White House staff as one of the possible elements of an agreement with Russia.

Russia has the world's only fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers, which ensure year-round shipping along the Northern Sea Route, a strategic route for energy and trade.

Trump wants to ensure that gas is transported from remote areas of Alaska to Asian buyers.

The projects include Alaska LNG, worth $44 billion, which involves the construction of an 800-kilometer pipeline to supply liquefied natural gas to Asian markets, and Qilak LNG, with a capacity of 4 million tons per year.

Qilak LNG founder Mead Treadwell noted that the use of icebreakers from any country is not surprising for American LNG projects, but so far there have been no specific requests for Russian vessels.

Another industry source told the agency that Alaska LNG does not currently need Russian icebreakers.

If an agreement is reached, icebreakers could also be used to deliver construction materials and equipment to remote areas of Alaska where infrastructure is limited and weather conditions are harsh.

• On August 15, it was reported that Russia had to cancel the construction of two innovative icebreakers because of sanctions.