Construction has begun on a next-generation icebreaking research vessel that will support Korea's development of the Arctic route. The government plans to start building it this year and, after completion, deploy it for Arctic research in 2030.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said on the 10th that it will hold a "next-generation icebreaking research vessel groundbreaking ceremony" on the 11th at the Hanwha Ocean Geoje shipyard in South Gyeongsang.
The ceremony will be attended by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), the Korean Register, Hanwha Ocean(042660), and other ministries, agencies, and corporations involved in the next-generation icebreaking research vessel construction project.
The next-generation icebreaking research vessel construction project is a national project of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF). Compared with the existing Araon, the target is to build an icebreaking research vessel of 16,560 gross tons—more than double in total tonnage—with icebreaking capability improved by 50%. Because the Araon, the only domestic vessel to date, requires considerable time for transit, the period available for field research has been insufficient, and access to the high-latitude Arctic Ocean above 80 degrees has been limited. As a result, the need for a new icebreaking research vessel has been consistently raised.
In response, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) and Hanwha Ocean signed a construction contract for the next-generation icebreaking research vessel in July last year and have since carried out preparatory work such as design and equipment contracts.
The next-generation icebreaking research vessel that broke ground that day will begin construction this year. After it is completed in 2029, it will undergo sea trials and then officially begin Arctic research in 2030. According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), if the next-generation icebreaking research vessel takes charge of Arctic research and the existing Araon takes charge of Antarctic research, the number of annual research sailing days in the Arctic and Antarctic will more than triple, from about 85 days to about 270 days.
In particular, by the summer of 2030, when the next-generation icebreaking research vessel is deployed to the Arctic, it is expected to be able to sail throughout the Arctic Ocean. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) said it expects the vessel to play a major role in the era of the Arctic route, including securing data needed to develop the route.
Seo Jeong-ho, director general for ocean policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), said, "Building the next-generation icebreaking research vessel is an important first step to prepare for the coming era of the Arctic route by accumulating scientific research data and to leap forward as a powerhouse in polar research," adding, "We will spare no necessary support so the construction project can proceed without setbacks."