Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia with Nuke Boats

Akula I SSN "Bratsk" (left) and "Samara" (right) loaded on "Transshelf" - August 2014
(image courtesy of vkontakte.ru)

Nuclear-powered icebreaker "50 Let Pobedy" escorting "Transshelf" - September 16, 2014
(image courtesy of RosAtomFlot)

Dockwise semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel "Transshelf", with Akula I-class nuclear-powered submarines "Bratsk" and "Samara" loaded on board, arrived in the vicinity of Severodvinsk on September 23. According to a spokesperson for Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center, which has been contracted to conduct repairs and upgrades of the two submarines, "Transshelf" will remain near the Nikolskoye entrance buoy until weather improves.

For earlier reporting:

Why is the Netherlands Helping the Russian Navy Right Now? (August 14, 2014)

Nuke Boats Loaded on Heavy-Lift Vessels (August 28, 2014)

"Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (August 31, 2014)

"HYSY 278" Departs Russia With Oscar II SSGN (September 3, 2014)

Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers (September 5, 2014) 

"HYSY 278" Arrives Near Bolshoy Kamen With Oscar II SSGN (September 7, 2014

Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (September 10, 2014)

Update: Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers (September 11, 2014)

Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia with Nuke Boats (September 16, 2014)

Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia with Nuke Boats (September 19, 2014)

Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia with Nuke Boats

Locations of "Transshelf" and "Vaygach" - September 15-19, 2014 (Map courtesy of Google Earth)

Dockwise semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel "Transshelf", with Akula I-class nuclear-powered submarines "Bratsk" and "Samara" loaded on board, continues its transit of the Arctic Northern Sea Route. "Transshelf" transited through the Sannikov Strait on September 16, the Laptev Sea on September 17, and through the Vilkitskiy Strait and into the Kara Sea by September 18. Both vessels were traveling at nearly 14 knots at that point.

By 0800 GMT today, the two vessels had separated. "Vaygach" was dead in the water within Zaliv Volchiy, while "Transshelf" continued a 13.6-knot southwesterly transit of the Kara Sea. If it continues an average 13-knot speed of advance, "Transshelf" could arrive in Severodvinsk on September 22; however, it earlier had an estimated arrival date of September 23.

For earlier reporting:

Why is the Netherlands Helping the Russian Navy Right Now? (August 14, 2014)

Nuke Boats Loaded on Heavy-Lift Vessels (August 28, 2014)

"Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (August 31, 2014)

"HYSY 278" Departs Russia With Oscar II SSGN (September 3, 2014)

Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers (September 5, 2014) 

"HYSY 278" Arrives Near Bolshoy Kamen With Oscar II SSGN (September 7, 2014

Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (September 10, 2014)

Update: Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers (September 11, 2014)

Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia with Nuke Boats (September 16, 2014)

Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia with Nuke Boats

Locations of "50 Let Pobedy" and "Transshelf" - September 12-15, 2014 (Map courtesy of Google Earth)

Over the past weekend, the nuclear-powered icebreaker "50 Let Pobedy", which had earlier concluded icebreaker support for a Russian Navy Northern Fleet task group heading to the New Siberian Islands, rendezvoused with the Dockwise semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel "Transshelf" (with two Akula I-class nuclear-powered submarines loaded on board). The units began a westerly transit of the East Siberian Sea and were located approximately 115nm east of Bolshoy Lyakhovskiy Island (just south of Kotelnyy Island) at 0800 GMT on September 15.

"Transshelf" is now scheduled to depart the Northern Sea Route (NSR) on September 20, five days after the original end date of its approved transit window. On September 11, understanding the vessel would exceed the September 15 deadline, Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center requested an extension of the NSR transit window. The NSR Administration approved the request the following day and granted "Transshelf" permission to operate along the NSR through September 30.

For earlier reporting:

Why is the Netherlands Helping the Russian Navy Right Now? (August 14, 2014)

Nuke Boats Loaded on Heavy-Lift Vessels (August 28, 2014)

"Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (August 31, 2014)

"HYSY 278" Departs Russia With Oscar II SSGN (September 3, 2014)

Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers (September 5, 2014) 

"HYSY 278" Arrives Near Bolshoy Kamen With Oscar II SSGN (September 7, 2014

Update: "Transshelf" Departs Russia With Nuke Boats (September 10, 2014)

Update: Status of Russian Navy Nuke Boat Transfers (September 11, 2014)