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Chinese Icebreaker
Interesting Engineering has a story about China’s third polar icebreaker expected to be ready in 2025.
It appears to be a relatively light polar icebreaker,
“The proposed length of the vessel is 338 feet (103 meters) and is being built for a displacement of over 10,000 tons (9,200 tonnes). It can accommodate a crew of 80 people and travel at speeds of up to 16 knots…”
That is about the length of the Canadian Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship, but about 50% heavier. I appears to be a bit smaller than M/V Aiviq that the Coast Guard apparently intends to buy.
Given the relatively small size, it is unlikely this is the nuclear icebreaker that has been talked about.
The article makes much of the ability to support a deepsea submersible, but it does not make clear what special provisions will be provided. Will it have a stern launch or moonpool or just cranes?
Why the submersible, when remotely operated vehicles are now so capable, is also not clear.
I think Russia has at least as much reason to be concerned about China’s icebreaker capabilities as the US, since Russia wants to monetize passage through the Northern Sea Route, and I doubt the Chinese will stand for that in the long run.
Thanks to Mike for bringing this to attention.
