BEIJING: The research and development of China’s heavy icebreaker is progressing smoothly with construction expected to begin next year, said Wu Gang, Chief Designer of Xuelong 2, China’s first domestically built polar research icebreaker.

China’s future generation of icebreakers will make significant breakthroughs in both spatial and temporal domains. This means that once the heavy icebreaker is successfully developed, China will have the ability to operate year-round in polar environments for in-depth scientific research missions and obtain the capabilities of full-area and all-time entry, Wu told the Global Times.

Icebreakers are classified into three levels based on their icebreaking capability, heavy icebreakers can handle ice up to 2 meters thick, medium icebreakers can break ice between 1 and 1.5 meters, and light icebreakers can manage ice less than 1 meter thick.

China has developed the capability to design and construct light and medium icebreakers. However, there is still a significant shortage
of icebreaking research vessels, particularly heavy-duty icebreakers, Wu noted.

Chinese experts reiterated China’s icebreakers are mainly used for scientific research in the Arctic region and to prepare for the opening and transportation of the future Arctic route.

Source: Emirates News Agency