Abstract: China’s polar exploration activities have developed increasingly over the past 40 years. However, deficiencies remain in the comprehensive security of polar icebreaker capacity, especially relative to the needs of China and those of the developed countries. For example, currently, China’s polar icebreakers can only offer limited operating time in ice-covered regions and increased capability is required to support comprehensive scientific research such as the study of interactions in the ice-sea-air-biology system. This paper reports the results of a comprehensive analysis of the support capabilities of R/V Xuelong and R/V Xuelong 2, which are the Chinese polar ice breakers that are in active service. The modes of operation with respect to logistics support and scientific investigation activities are reviewed and are compared with the characteristics of the mainstream polar research vessels from other countries. This paper probes into the differences, challenges, and shortcomings in support capability, management mode, and operation mechanism, and puts forward ideas and suggestions to further improve China’s comprehensive polar research capability.

Key words: polar expedition, icebreaker, R/V Xuelong, R/V Xuelong 2, support system