-‘Next Generation Icebreaking Research Vessel Construction Project’ has passed its preliminary feasibility study -

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister MOON, Seong-Hyeok) said at the Ministry of Science and ICT's "General Committee on the Evaluation of National Research and Development Projects" on Friday, June 25, that the preliminary feasibility study of the "Next Generation Icebreaking Research Vessel Construction Project" was reviewed and approved.

Studies on the Arctic Ocean have recently been drawing attention, as they predict climate change and identify the causes of abnormal weather conditions on the Korean Peninsula, including heat waves and cold waves caused by reduced sea ice. Experts stress the need for Arctic sea research, saying that year-round data are needed to accurately predict the development patterns and abnormal weather conditions of climate change.

Korea’s first icebreaking research vessel (IBRV), Araon set sailing 2009. However, it could break ice of one meter thick at a speed of 3 knots, which does not allow the vessel to enter high-altitude Arctic waters and conduct Arctic research except during summer seasons when more areas open up from decrease in sea ice. In addition, conducting research on the Antarctic and the Arctic together with a single ship made it difficult to meet the growing demand for Arctic research.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has been pushing for the construction of Next Generation Icebreaking Research Vessel since 2015 to overcome the limitations of such Arctic research and expand the scope of Korean Arctic science program. After conducting a total of three preliminary feasibility studies, organizing and operating the "Planning research group of Next Generation Ice-Breaking Research Vessel", and holding related public hearings, the preliminary feasibility study gained approval.

The planned Next Generation Icebreaking Research Vessel has improved ice-breaking capability compared to IBRV Araon, designed to break 1.5 meter thick sea ice at a speed of 3 knots. The new research vessel’s gross tonnage is 15,450 tons, more than double the size of Araon. It will become also possible to operate more environmental-friendly in the Arctic Ocean using LNG and low Sulphur Diesel as fuel oil, which emit less pollutants. In the phase of designing, various research equipment (such as Autonomous Undersea Vehicles, AUVs) will be considered in a detachable manner to increase space utilization, and the safety of researchers and crew members onboard will be taken into account.

< Next-Generation Icebreaker will enable longer and higher latitude field

research activities in the Arctic and Antarctic waters>

	As-Is (conduct science in both polar waters with IBRV Araon only)	To-Be(New Icebreaker dedicated to Arctic research, Araon allocated in Southern Ocean)
Research Navigation (days/period)	ㅇ Arctic: 35 / Aug.~Oct. ㅇ Antarctic: 50 / Dec.~Mar.	ㅇ Arctic: 156 / Jul.~Jan. ㅇ Antarctic: 121 / Sep.~Apr.
Accessibility in the Arctic Ocean	ㅇ 65 to 75 degrees north (maximum 79 degrees north) including East Siberian Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Bering Sea	ㅇ Most of seas, including the Central Arctic Ocean and Barents Sea, are up to 90 degrees north
	< sea ice extent estimated as of November 2030, inaccessible area (red) by icebreaker capacity >

The designing phase of planned Next Generation Icebreaking Research Vessel will be commenced in 2022 with a total of 277.4 billion Korean won, and after construction, it will begin full-scale operation in 2027 to take charge of Arctic research. Through this, various studies such as climate, ocean, biology, resources, geology, atmosphere, and space, which have not been accessible by Araon, are expected to produce more meaningful Arctic research results.

Song Sang Keun, Deputy Minister for Marine Policy Office of the MOF, said "Korea started Arctic ocean-going research with the launch of the Icebreaking research vessel Araon in 2009, which led to remarkable results such as joining the Arctic Council as an observer in 2013, and identifying the cause of abnormal weather conditions such as the cold wave from the Arctic polar vortex.“ and "When the Next Generation Icebreaking Research Vessel is deployed in the future, I expect Korea will contribute significantly in consolidating international Arctic science efforts, as a responsible Arctic partner.