Abstract:

In recent years, global warming and Arctic ice ablation have made the possibility of vessels transiting the North-east Passage much more likely. A fleet of icebreakers has been organized by Russia to maintain the safety of its northern ports and routes. In this paper, the classification standards and design characteristics of Russian icebreakers, including technical standards and bow shapes, indicate the maximum ice thickness that icebreakers can pass through. These data will contribute to icebreaker research in China.

Key words: Russian icebreaker, Polar seas, Northeast Passage, maximum ice thickness, stem characteristic