Ulsan, South Korea-headquartered shipbuilding company Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on August 24 that it has completed the final performance test for a model of a 190,000 dwt ice-breaking iron ore carrier at the Institute for Ocean Technology in Canada.
When the actual 190,000 dwt iron ore carrier is built, it will be the world's largest ice-breaking commercial ship. The ship which will measure 310 m in length and 51 m in width will be able to navigate 1.7 m thick ice-covered waters with a speed of six knots per hour.
The Hyundai Heavy ice-breaking iron ore carrier will be able to carry twice as much cargo as any existing ice-breaking commercial ship. Moreover, the ship will also be able to move two times faster with five percent increased fuel efficiency. The demand for ice-breaking commercial ships is expected to increase as exploration of natural resources like natural gas, oil, and iron ore in the polar regions is becoming easier. Travel distance can also be shortened by up to 40 percent between Asia and Europe when Arctic sailing routes are available.