Korea has a particular interest in understanding the Arctic environment with its
potential for change because highly industrialized countries reach into high
northern latitudes and Asia is under the steady influence of and in exchange
with the Arctic environment. Korea would like to be involved in the big pictures
and to contribute during post-IPY period.
The Korea's icebreaker (Araon), which was completed by September 2009, is
designed for operation in one-meter-thick-multiple-year ice condition (KR PL-10)
with 3 knot speed per hour and will be equipped with twin Azimuth propulsion
units driven by diesel-electric propulsion plant. She will accommodate up to 85
persons, including 25 crew members. Multi-disciplinary research capabilities;
oceanographic, geophysical, and labs.
Following a circumspective feasibility test in 2003, the basic design and
general arrangement of a vessel had been produced in 2004 and 2005,
respectively. At the beginning 2007, Hanjin Heavy Industry, Inc. won the
contract for constructing an icebreaker ship and a steel-cutting ceremony was
held in Jan. 2008.
After keel-laying in May of 2008 and launching and delivery in 2009, she was
commissioned for scientific research and logistic purposes in both Antarctic and
Arctic regions. Korea expects that the icebreaker ship would enhance the
capability of conducting scientific research in polar regions with upgraded
efficiency and quality. Korea is operating one "over-wintering" station, the
King Sejong on King George Island in the Antarctic, and also has research
facilities, the Dasan, in NyAlesund, Svalbard Islands in the Arctic.
Developed at a cost of KRW 103 billion for the Korean Polar Research Institute
and designed for polar research activities, the Araon is 110 meters in length
and 19 meters in breadth with a cruising speed of up to 16 knots (30km/h). This
icebreaker, with 25 crew members and 60 researchers on board, is equipped with
nearly 60 different types of high-tech research equipment and a helicopter.
She underwent her sea trials in January 2010, in the Ross Sea. Her first foreign
port of call was Lyttelton, New Zealand.The first location her crew
investigated, for a South Korean Antarctic base, in the Cape Burks area, was not
deemed suitable, and she then proceeded to investigate a possible site in Terra
Nova Bay.
IMO No. 9490935
Signal Letters DSQL7
Owner KOREA POLAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Manager STX POS SHIP MANAGEMENT CO.
Port of Registry INCHON
Flag KOREA
Tonnnages
Gross: 7487; Net: 2246; Dwt: .070
Freeboard Summer(mm) 2312
Draft(m) 7.617
Speed(Kt) 12.00
Overall Length(m) 111.00
Reg. Dimensions(L X B X D)(m) 101.91 X 19.00 X 9.90
Rule Dimensions(L X B X D)(m) 95.00 X 19.00 X 9.90
Shipbuilder: HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD
Place of Build: BUSAN
Date of Completion: 30.09.2009
Hull No.: SS00065
Date of Keel Laid: 07.05.2008
Date of Launch: 17.10.2008
Engine Builder: STX ENGINE CO., LTD. Of CHANGWON
New Zealand Private Mail.
Sources: Various internet sites; Equasis;
Peter Crichton