Author(s): Samuli Hanninen; Ahmad Arslan; Robert-Aibin Luo; Zuzana Mikusova; Tuomas Sipila; Torsten Heideman; Bendik Aas
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Abstract: To operate safely and responsibly in the toughest ice conditions on the planet, the toughest technology is required. Podded propulsion solutions have been developed to meet the stringent requirements for polar vessels, offering effective, clean and quiet operations, together with superior maneuverability and reliability. Harsh environments, ice conditions, regulatory requirements and lack of infrastructure are key challenges in building research icebreaking vessels operating in the Polar waters. System redundancy and equipment reliability are critical for the safety of the crew and the vessel. The next generation of research icebreakers demands propulsion systems that combine efficiency, environmental aspects, and operational versatility in extreme polar conditions. This paper presents a modern propulsion solution integrating Azimuth thruster® units with a DC grid power distribution system, enabling optimized energy flow and flexible integration of diverse power sources such as modern battery systems. To break ice in the most challenging conditions, vessels powered by azimuth propulsion navigate stern first. Propellers mill the submerged part of the ice ridge to open a passage, while water flow generated by the propeller flushes the hull, allowing the ship to move with ease in demanding ice conditions. The double-acting ship (DAS) concept allows research ships to operate without icebreaker support, keeping ice channels open more effectively and enabling vessels to follow behind to reduce their fuel consumption. A key focus is the mitigation of underwater radiated noise (URN), critical for protecting marine ecosystems and ensuring the integrity of acoustic research missions. Advanced control strategies and optimized propeller-hull interactions are employed to minimize noise signatures without compromising icebreaking capability. In this paper we will present recently completed full-scale validation of the prediction method for URN that can be efficiently applied to any new project. Furthermore, the modern research icebreaker typically incorporates dynamic positioning, allowing precise station-keeping during scientific operations also in pre-broken managed ice.
Year: 2026