Ship&Offshore | Issue 03/2012
New icebreakers for polar and Baltic regions
ICE-GOING VESSELS Nowhere are ships put under greater stress than in icebound waters. At the same time, the polar zones are becoming increasingly attractive for drilling and mining. Scientists expect significant discoveries of oil, natural gas and mineral deposits there, and exploration is increasing to meet fast-expanding demand. In the following, shipbuilding expert Ralf Witthohn describes new ship designs for work in ice.