The next-generation icebreaking research vessel project, which will succeed the only domestic icebreaking research vessel, Araon, has entered the main stage. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) selected Hanwha Ocean as the preferred negotiation partner for the construction project of the next-generation icebreaking research vessel on the 1st. The aim is to sign the main contract within this month and commence full-scale construction, targeting operations starting from 2030.
Shin Hyung-cheol, the head of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), noted, "The icebreaking research vessel Araon is currently conducting research activities between Antarctica and the Arctic, but the actual available time for Arctic research is only about two months a year," and added, "The next-generation icebreaking research vessel, which is twice as heavy as Araon, can go deeper into the Arctic where Araon could not reach."
An icebreaker is a ship that travels by breaking the ice with its weight while moving on the ice surface. The heavier it is, the thicker the ice it can break while navigating. The next-generation icebreaking research vessel boasts a gross tonnage (GT) of 16,560 tons, more than double that of Araon (7,507 tons).
◇Investment feasibility assessment fails twice, now on the third attempt
The construction project for the next-generation icebreaking research vessel began in 2013. Following the announcement of a comprehensive government policy on the Arctic, the review for constructing a second icebreaking research vessel to conduct polar research along with Araon began. The first major hurdle was the preliminary feasibility (examination) assessment to determine the appropriateness of large-scale investments.
The preliminary feasibility (assessment) studies conducted twice from 2015 to 2020 concluded that it would not be implemented. Fortunately, the conclusion changed to project implementation in the third preliminary feasibility assessment completed in 2021. This result reflected various factors, including the visible achievements of Araon and the growing importance of Arctic routes.
Although the preliminary feasibility assessment was passed, it took four years for the project to enter the main stage. The budget allocated through the feasibility study was 277.4 billion won, but during that time, prices rose, and the cost of ship construction also increased accordingly. Shipbuilders did not participate in the bidding, claiming that they could not build a vessel within that budget. The government took action last year to adjust the total project cost, adding 58.6 billion won, and conducted the bidding again in May this year. This time, several shipbuilders showed interest, and ultimately, Hanwha Ocean decided to construct the next-generation icebreaking research vessel.
The icebreaking capability of the next-generation icebreaking research vessel has significantly improved due to the increase in gross tonnage. The icebreaking capability of Araon was '1m/3 knots,' meaning it could break ice that is 1 meter thick at a speed of 3 knots. A representative from the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) explained, "Araon is not suitable for use in the harsh melting conditions of high-latitude Arctic regions and will only be able to operate in limited areas, even in 2030, when significant ice melting is expected."
The icebreaking capability of the next-generation icebreaking research vessel is designed to be '1.5m/3 knots.' This is at the same level as China's leading icebreaking research vessel, Xuelong 2, and is superior to the icebreaking research vessel (1.2m/3 knots) that Japan plans to operate starting in 2026. As China and Japan continue to construct new icebreaking research vessels, threatening Korea in the competition for leadership in the Arctic, the next-generation icebreaking research vessel is expected to serve as a countermeasure.
◇Antarctic research days increase from 43 to 121, Arctic from 30 to 156
A representative from the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) stated, "Due to the limited icebreaking capability of Araon, research in the Arctic Ocean can only be conducted from late July to late September," adding, "About 80% of the research demand for icebreaking vessels is in areas inaccessible to Araon, leading to limitations."
The emergence of the next-generation icebreaking research vessel does not mean that Araon will be decommissioned. Instead, the next-generation icebreaking research vessel will be responsible for the thicker ice in the Arctic, while Araon will focus on the relatively less icy Antarctic, thereby increasing research efficiency. It is anticipated that Araon will be able to use the time that was wasted on transit for research purposes.
Currently, Araon is conducting research activities while moving back and forth between Antarctica and the Arctic. The time spent moving between Antarctica and the Arctic amounts to 140 days a year. The actual research days performed using Araon are 70 days, meaning that it spends twice that time moving on the ocean.
When the next-generation icebreaking research vessel takes charge of the Arctic and Araon focuses on the Antarctic, the research navigation days will increase dramatically. The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) expects the number of Antarctic research navigation days to rise from 43 to 121, and the number of Arctic research navigation days to increase from 30 to 156. A representative from the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) explained, "Research in the high-latitude Arctic waters and the Kara Sea and Laptev Sea, which Araon could not access, will become possible, thereby improving the accuracy of predicting climate anomalies in the Korean Peninsula."
It is also possible to operate two icebreaking research vessels together. The Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) is considering deploying both the next-generation icebreaking research vessel and Araon together for large-scale polar research, such as the construction of the third Antarctic base or exploration of the North Pole, to create synergy.
A representative from the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) stated, "To secure fishing rights in the future under the Central Arctic Ocean Agreement to prevent unregulated fishing, we need to expand scientific contributions, such as fishery resource surveys," and added, "While Araon lacked essential trawl systems for fishery resource research, the operation of the next-generation icebreaking research vessel will enable research that has not been possible before, such as fishery resource studies."
(Joint planning: ChosunBiz·Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI))