Since 1986, CNIIMF has been responsible for developing and issuing Ice Certificates for various types of vessels. In general, the document includes the following basic elements:
- description of the vessel's main technical characteristics
- description of the vessel's ice class (if applicable)
- description of hull form and its construction within the variable draught range
- assessment of the vessel's attainable speed in open water (in the absence of actual data)
- assessment of the vessel's ice-breaking capability (in the absence of actual data)
- assessment of the vessel's safe speeds in ice when navigating independently
- assessment of safe ship escort parameters in ice when navigating in a channel behind an icebreaker, including safe speeds and safe escort distances
- assessment of safe ship escort parameters in ice when towed closely behind an icebreaker, including safe speeds and towing safety criteria
- assessment of hull side structures strength under ice nipping during ice navigation
- strength assessment of the propulsion and steering system components during ice navigation
- assessment of the safe propeller immersion during ice navigation
- assessment of the minimum radius of gyration during ice navigation in a wide ice channel
- assessment of the vessel's suitability for long-term operation at low temperatures.
The content of the Ice Certificate may be amended or supplemented by agreement with the Customer.
The Customer provides the Contractor with all necessary classification, technical, and other documentation (information) for the estimated vessel in accordance with the list prepared by the Contractor, including, but not limited to:
- Valid ship classification certificate
- General arrangement plan
- Lines drawing
- Hull construction drawings, including the shell expansion plan, midship section plan, and construction drawings of typical cross-sections in the bow and stern
- Structural drawings of the vessel's propulsion and steering system components
- Loading Manual or Stability Booklet
- Ship loading diagram
- Ship test results in open water and ice (if available)
- Report on ultrasonic measurement of residual thickness of the vessel's hull side structures within the variable draught area (for the vessel in service)
- Official letter from the vessel operator confirming the presence or absence of non-equivalent replacements of propulsion system elements and fundamental changes in the shape of the hull lines and/or in structure, carried out during the vessel operation period (for the vessel in service).
The Ice Certificate is valid for 10 (ten) years for newly built vessels and 5 (five) years for vessels in operation. Upon expiration, any decision to extend the validity of the Ice Certificate for the next 5 (five) years is to be based on an expert assessment of the actual technical condition of the hull and propulsion system components. In addition, the document is subject to renewal in the event of unequal replacement of propulsion system components and fundamental changes to the hull form and/or hull structures carried out during the vessel's service life.