Hanwha Ocean announced on the 29th that it has signed a contract with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for the construction of a next-generation icebreaker research vessel for polar navigation and research.
The contract signing ceremony was held that afternoon at the Korea Shipowners' Association (KSA) conference hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, with around 30 participants, including Minister Jeon Jae-su of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheol, and Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) Director Shin Hyung-cheol.
Through the contract, the two sides plan to complete the icebreaking capacity tests and construction of the next-generation icebreaker research vessel by December 2029, assigning it to polar research missions in Korea.
The next-generation icebreaker research vessel has a gross tonnage (GT) of 16,560 tons, more than double that of Korea's first icebreaker research vessel, Araon (7,507 tons).
Additionally, as an eco-friendly vessel, it will be equipped with a dual-fuel electric propulsion system using liquefied natural gas (LNG), and it will have the ability to break through 1.5-meter-thick ice and operate in temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees Celsius.
Furthermore, to ensure the best research outcomes even under extreme conditions, the cabins, reception rooms, and dining areas will be designed to provide comfort and convenience at a level equivalent to that of high-end passenger ships.
Hanwha Ocean is confident that the next-generation icebreaker research vessel will be a cutting-edge research vessel that will elevate the level of polar research. It also plans to focus more on the icebreaker sector based on this construction project, in line with the competitive landscape of maritime power in the Arctic.
Minister Jeon Jae-su remarked, "The next-generation icebreaker research vessel is an infrastructure that can promote Arctic cooperation, such as in scientific research and resource collaboration," adding, "Starting with the next-generation icebreaker, we will steadily build the necessary infrastructure and empirical data for the sustainable use and safe navigation of the Arctic shipping route."
Kim Hee-cheol, CEO of Hanwha Ocean, said, "We sincerely appreciate being part of this meaningful journey to contribute to the nation's prosperity through the construction of the next-generation icebreaker research vessel," and added, "We will mobilize all of Hanwha Ocean's capabilities to deliver outstanding results that inspire."