A model for the assessment of the required functional and cost characteristics of ice fleet vessels navigating the Northern sea route

This study provides a model for assessing both functional and cost characteristics of Russian ice fleet vessels that navigate the Northern Sea Route. The purpose of this study is to consider the basic requirements for the Russian ice fleet to ensure year-round navigation on the Northern Sea Route. Through the expert assessment method, this study weighs the factors as per their importance in enhancing various technical characteristics, separately for transport vessels and icebreakers, and then determines the operating expenses for both a transport vessel and an icebreaker navigating on the Northern Sea Route. This study evaluates methods to assess both the functional and cost characteristics of vessels, highlighting the expert assessment method. Navigational efficiency of transport vessels depends on the propulsion power of marine power plants, resistance to vessel movement, and the ice class of the vessel. It is possible to achieve the required level of navigational efficiency of an ice-class transport vessel, which is specified during the strategic planning stage, provided that proposed long-term developments are successfully implemented.