Hanwha Ocean has been designated as the preferred bidder for the construction of the next-generation polar research icebreaker, reaffirming its position as a leader in South Korea’s icecraft technology.
On July 1, Hanwha Ocean announced that it had been selected as the preferred negotiator for the ‘Next-Generation Icebreaker Research Vessel Construction Project,’ led by the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), affiliated with the Korea Institute of Marine Science & Technology (KIMST), and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The project aims to expand and strengthen Korea’s capabilities in polar research, with the formal contract scheduled to be signed within July.
The new icebreaker, scheduled for construction, will have a total tonnage of approximately 16,560 tons, more than doubling the size of the current vessel, the Araon (7,507 tons). It will feature a dual-fuel LNG propulsion system and polar icebreaking capability (Polar Class 3) capable of breaking through 1.5-meter-thick ice in both forward and backward directions, even in extreme temperatures as low as -45°C.
Interior designs for the vessel prioritize crew comfort and efficiency, including high-quality cabins, dining areas, and lounges that ensure optimal working and living conditions in harsh polar environments.
South Korea first entered polar research in 2009 with the commissioning of the Araon icebreaker. However, the increasing importance and scope of polar research due to climate change have continually underscored the need for a more advanced icebreaker fleet.
Hanwha Ocean has proactively developed icebreaker technologies since 2008, with an emphasis on Arctic route navigation. The company boasts the world’s highest number of LNG-fueled icebreaking vessel constructions—totaling 21 ships—demonstrating its dominance in this specialized sector.
A Hanwha Ocean official stated, “This project is not simply about building a vessel but about creating an advanced polar exploration platform unlike our existing Araon,” adding, “We will leverage our full naval engineering capabilities to deliver a world-class icebreaking research ship.”
Kim Ho-jung, Senior Manager of the Special Ships Business Division, emphasized, “Hanwha Ocean possesses top-tier icebreaking vessel construction technology globally,” and “this project will also showcase our capabilities to the expanding market for icebreaker ships, including the United States.”
Additionally, Hanwha Ocean recently secured a contract for the development of a top-tier PC2-class icebreaker as part of a government project led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, further reinforcing Korea’s maritime and polar research capabilities in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
