Hanwha Ocean to Build Next-Generation Icebreaking Research Vessel for Polar Exploration

Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Selects Preferred Negotiation Partner... Construction to be Completed by 2029
An Opportunity to Showcase Icebreaking Vessel Construction Capabilities to the United States, Where Demand Is Growing

Hanwha Ocean will build a next-generation icebreaking research vessel for polar exploration. This is a follow-up project to the Araon, South Korea's first icebreaking research vessel, which was built in 2009.

On July 1, Hanwha Ocean announced that it has been selected as the preferred negotiation partner for the next-generation icebreaking research vessel construction project, which is being promoted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for polar navigation and research. After signing the main contract in July, the company plans to begin design and complete construction by December 2029.

This is a rendering of the next-generation icebreaking research vessel proposed by Hanwha Ocean to the Korea Polar Research Institute, an affiliate of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, for which it was selected as the preferred negotiation partner. / Provided by Hanwha Ocean. The icebreaking research vessel to be built by Hanwha Ocean will be equipped with a liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel electric propulsion system. It will have bidirectional icebreaking capabilities as a Polar Class 3 (PC3) vessel, able to break through ice up to 1.5 meters thick, and will be designed to withstand temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees Celsius.

Hanwha Ocean began developing polar vessels for Arctic route utilization in 2008. The company has built a total of 21 icebreaking LNG carriers?15 in 2014 and 6 in 2020?holding the world record for the most vessels of this type constructed.

Hanwha Ocean explained, "As Arctic sea ice is melting faster than expected, the Arctic is becoming not just a new shipping route, but also a battleground for resources, logistics, and technological competition."

Kim Hojung, Executive Director of Hanwha Ocean's Special Ship Business Division, said, "We expect to showcase Hanwha Ocean's icebreaking vessel construction capabilities to the United States, where demand for icebreakers is growing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.