The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on July 29 that the Korea Polar Research Institute and Hanwha Ocean have officially signed a contract for the construction of the next-generation icebreaking research vessel. The contract, signed at an event attended by key representatives from the Ministry, the Korea Polar Research Institute, and Hanwha Ocean, is set to lay the groundwork for Korea’s expanded entry into the Arctic with a focus on securing critical data to support the forthcoming Northern Sea Route era.

Hanwha Ocean, the newly selected shipbuilder, won the contract following a rigorous technical evaluation, excelling in optimized hull design, superior ice resistance, and cutting-edge research-focused workspaces. These strengths are expected to significantly boost Korea’s ability to conduct both Arctic research and exploratory maritime operations in the coming years.

The Next-Generation Icebreaking Research Vessel Construction Project stands as a core policy objective for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, with the ultimate goal of delivering a world-class research icebreaker by December 2029.

Compared to the nation’s current Araon icebreaker, the new vessel will more than double the gross tonnage and enhance icebreaking capability by approximately 50%. Notably, the design aims to meet the rigorous Polar Class 3 (PC3) standards set by the International Association of Classification Societies. The ship will also feature an environmentally-friendly dual-fuel LNG-MGO (low sulfur oil) propulsion system. Additionally, modular research facilities will be incorporated, dramatically increasing operational flexibility compared to the fixed installations of previous models.

The introduction of this state-of-the-art icebreaker will extend Korea’s scientific research radius from the current limit of 80 degrees north latitude all the way to the North Pole. This leap is expected to greatly reinforce the nation’s polar scientific research capabilities. It will also relieve the Araon, which had carried a double burden of supplying both Antarctic and Arctic bases, by distributing missions more effectively. The effective research window is also set to expand from roughly 40 days up to three or four times longer.

Jeon Jae-soo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, emphasized, “The next-generation icebreaking research vessel will become an infrastructure of Arctic cooperation, constructed with the world’s highest level of technology.” He added, “To pioneer a sustainable and safe Northern Sea Route, we will continue to build up both the necessary infrastructure and empirical data.”

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Korea Policy Briefing, Yonhap News