Impressive icebreakers capable of breaking through ice several meters thick that are used to open waterways and allow the transit of cargo ships through the most extreme maritime routes.
These are, the 10 Biggest Icebreakers in the World.
10. Kapitan Khlebnikov
It sails under the Russian flag and was manufactured in Finland in 1981. It is a hybrid propulsion icebreaker that has room for 70 crew and 110 passengers. She is currently operating as a cruise ship offering excursions to places like the north pole.
It measures 122 meters long by 26 meters wide. It has a helicopter that can transport tourists to inaccessible places such as glaciers.
It has a gross tonnage of 12,200 tons and a cargo capacity of 4,400 tons. It has 2 engines with a total of 24,000 horsepower and can reach a maximum speed of 15 knots.
9. Andrey Vilkitskiy
It sails under the Russian flag and was manufactured in 2018 in Russia. It measures 122 meters long by 26 meters wide it has a gross tonnage of 11,200 tons and a cargo capacity of 4,500 tons. It has 2 engines with a total of 29,500 horsepower and can reach a maximum speed of 16 knots.
It is operated by one of the world’s leading oil-producing companies, which has a large fleet of oil tankers and icebreakers. Its objective is to guarantee a safe and efficient operation for ships that navigate the arctic throughout the year.
8. MV Xue Long 2
It sails under the flag of China and was made in 2019 in China. It is a hybrid-powered icebreaker that can break ice up to 1.5 meters thick.
It used for geological and biological research, experimentation and prospecting also used as a supply vessel for facilities located in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
It measures 123 meters long by 22 meters wide, it has a gross tonnage of 12,700 tons and a cargo capacity of 4,900 tons. It has 2 engines with a total of 20,100 horsepower and can reach a maximum speed of 15 knots.
7. USCGC Healy
It sails under the United States flag and was manufactured in 1999 in the United States. It is the largest and most technologically advanced icebreaker in the United States. It is designed to perform a wide range of investigative activities.
It is equipped with a heliport, hangar and laboratories. It has space for more than 130 people, including crew and scientists.
It measures 128 meters long by 25 meters wide. It has a gross tonnage of 15,100 tons and a cargo capacity of 7,500 tons. It has 4 engines with a total of 60,000 horsepower and can reach a maximum speed of 17 knots.
6. S. A. Agulhas II
It sails under the flag of South Africa and was manufactured in Finland in 2012. It is a multipurpose vessel that can operate as an icebreaker, research or supply vessel and as a cruise ship. She is used to transport scientists and equipment for the South African National Antarctic Program. She has a range of 28,000 kilometers and has space for 45 crew members and 100 passengers.
It measures 134 meters long by 22 meters wide. It has a gross tonnage of 12,800 tons and a cargo capacity of 4,700 tons. It has 4 engines with a total of 16,000 horsepower and can reach a maximum speed of 16 knots.
5. Shirase 5003
It sails under the Japanese flag and was manufactured in 2008 in Japan. It measures 138 meters long by 28 meters wide. It is operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and is used for Antarctic expeditions. It is equipped with defensive systems and a curved bow with improved icebreaker capacity.
It can accommodate a total of 180 crew members and 80 scientists. It has a displacement of 20,000 tons and has space to carry a load of 1,100 tons. It has 4 engines with a total of 30,000 horsepower and can reach a speed of over 19 knots.
4. Le Commandant Charcot
It sails under the French flag and was manufactured in Romania in 2021. It is the world’s first hybrid-powered icebreaker cruiser.
It is designed for polar exploration voyages and is powered by liquefied natural gas and electricity. It is equipped with a luxurious interior with all kinds of facilities and has space for 235 crew and 245 passengers.
It measures 150 meters long by 32 meters wide. It has a gross tonnage of 31,200 tons and a cargo capacity of 4,700 tons. It has 4 engines with a total of 41,300 horsepower and can reach a maximum speed of 15 knots.
3. Taymyr
It sails under the Russian flag and was manufactured in 1988 in Finland. It is a nuclear-powered icebreaker that was built for the Soviet Union.
It is used to carry out operations on the Arctic coastal routes, in ice up to 2 meters thick. It has space for 138 people and is equipped with a heliport and all kinds of facilities for the crew.
It measures 150 meters long by 29 meters wide. It has a gross tonnage of 20,700 tons and a cargo capacity of 3,500 tons. It has 1 nuclear reactor with 59,600 horsepower and can reach a speed of over 18 knots.
2. 50 Let Pobedy
It sails under the Russian flag and was manufactured in 2007 in Russia. It is a nuclear-powered icebreaker that is designed to break through ice up to 2.5 meters thick. It is characterized by its great maneuverability and speed and has been used to transport tourists to the North Pole.
It has space for 140 crew and more than 120 passengers. It measures 160 meters long by 30 meters wide. It has a gross tonnage of 23,400 tons and a cargo capacity of 3,500 tons. It has 2 nuclear reactors with a total of 75,000 horsepower and can reach a speed of over 21 knots.
1. Arktika
It sails under the Russian flag and was manufactured in 2020 in Russia. It is a new-generation nuclear-powered icebreaker that can break through ice 3 meters thick.
It has a range of 7 years and is operated by a total of 53 crew members. It is designed to escort large ships sailing on the northern sea route.
It measures 173 meters long by 33 meters wide. it has a gross tonnage of 28,400 tons and a cargo capacity of 7,100 tons. It has 2 nuclear reactors with a total of 97,800 horsepower and can reach a maximum speed of 22 knots.
