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Wikipedia / List of icebreakers

This is a list of icebreakers and other special icebreaking vessels (except cargo ships and tankers) capable of operating independently in ice-covered waters. Ships known to be in service are presented in bold.

ArgentinaArgentina

  • (1954–1982; broken up)

  • (1978–2007, 2017–)

  • (1980–1989; sank in Antarctica)

AustraliaAustralia

AustriaAustria

AzerbaijanAzerbaijan

CanadaCanada

Canadian Coast GuardCanadian Coast Guard

  • (1876–1890; sold)

  • (1888–1935; broken up)

  • (1899–1915; sold to Russia)

  • (1904–1942; sold to Russia)

  • (1909–1914; sold to Russia)

  • (1916; 1923–1937; ex-J.D. Hazen, ex-Mikula Seleaninovich; broken up)

  • (1929–1967; broken up)

  • (1930–1979; broken up)

  • (1939–1978; museum ship)

  • (1949–1986; sold to a private company and broken up in 1993)

  • (1950–1969; sold to a private company and broken up in 1975)

  • (1952–1983; broken up)

  • (1954–1987; broken up)

  • (1957–1988; broken up)

  • (1959–1989; CCGS William since 1987; sold to a private company and later wrecked in Jamaica)

  • (1959–2001; new bow in 1984; sold to a private company)

  • (1959–1984; museum ship)

  • (1959–1988; broken up)

  • (1959–1988; broken up)

  • (1959–1997; sold to a private company)

  • (1960–1991; broken up)

  • (1965–1994; sold to a private company and broken up in 2014)

  • (1969–1993; sold to Chile)

  • (1969–)

  • (1970–)

Pierre Radisson class

  • (1977–)

  • (1979–)

  • (1982–)

  • (1987–)

Samuel Risley class

  • (1985–)

  • (1986–)

Martha L. Black class

  • (1986–)

  • (1986–)

  • (1986–)

  • (1986–; ex-Edward Cornwallis)

  • (1987–)

  • (1987–)

  • (1991–; first leased and then acquired from a commercial operator)

Interim icebreakers

  • (2019–; ex-Vidar Viking)

  • (2022–; ex-Balder Viking)

  • (2023–; ex-Tor Viking)

  • (2023–; ex-Mangystau-2)

New icebreakers and icebreaking vessels planned as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy

  • sixteen multi-purpose icebreakers

  • six medium-sized "program icebreakers"

two polar icebreakers

  • (2030– (planned); under construction)

  • (2032– (planned); under construction)

two modified Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessels

  • (2026– (planned); under construction)

  • (2027– (planned); under construction)

Royal Canadian NavyRoyal Canadian Navy

  • (1954–1961; transferred to Coast Guard)

Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel

  • (2021–)

  • (2022–)

  • (2024–)

  • (2024–)

  • (2025–)

  • (2026– (planned); delivered)

Commercial

  • Canmar Kigoriak (1979–2003; sold to Russia)

  • Robert LeMeur (1982–1997; sold to China)

  • Terry Fox (1983–1991; leased and later sold to the Canadian Coast Guard)

  • Arctic Kalvik (1983–2003; sold to Russia)

  • Ikaluk (1983–1998; Canmar Ikaluk since 1995; sold to Russia)

  • Miscaroo (1983–1998; Canmar Miscaroo since 1995; sold to Russia)

  • Arctic Ivik (1985–1997; sold and later converted to survey vessel Geco Snapper)

  • Polar S (2000–2022; ex-Njord, ex-Polar Star; broken up)

  • Polar Prince (2000–; ex-CCGS Sir Humphrey Gilbert)

  • Arcticaborg (2018–2019; transferred to Russia)

ChinaChina

State Oceanic AdministrationState Oceanic Administration

Polar Research Institute of ChinaPolar Research Institute of China

North Sea Branch

  • Ji Di (极地; "Polar") (2024–)

People's Liberation Army NavyPeople's Liberation Army Navy

Type 071 icebreaker

  • Haibing 722 (海冰722; "Sea Ice 722") (1971–2013; ex-C722, ex-Haibing 101; in reserve)

  • Haibing 721 (海冰721; "Sea Ice 721") (1973–2013; ex-C721, ex-Haibing 102; transferred to the China Coast Guard)

Type 210 icebreaker

Type 272 icebreaker

  • Haibing 722 (海冰722; "Sea Ice 722") (2016–)

  • Haibing 723 (海冰723; "Sea Ice 723") (2016–)

China Marine SurveillanceChina Marine Surveillance

  • Haijian 111 (海监111; "Marine Surveillance 111") (2012–2013; transferred to the China Coast Guard)

China Coast GuardChina Coast Guard

  • Donghai 519 (东海519; "East China Sea 519") (2013–; ex-Haibing 721, ex-C721, ex-Haibing 102)

  • Haijing 6401 (海警6401; "China Coast Guard 6401") (2012–; ex-Haijing 1411, ex-Haijian 111, ex-Haibing 723)

Sun Yat-sen UniversitySun Yat-sen University

  • Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di (中山大学极地; "Sun Yat-sen University Polar") (2021–; ex-Beijing Ocean Leader, ex-Ikaluk, ex-Smit Sibu, ex-Canmar Ikaluk)

Chinese Academy of SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences

Other

  • Bin Hai 293 (滨海293; "Coastal 293") (1997–2016; ex-Robert LeMeur; broken up)

  • Beijing Ocean Leader (北京号破冰船) (2018–2021; ex-Ikaluk, ex-Smit Sibu, ex-Canmar Ikaluk; sold to Sun Yat-sen University)

ChileChile

Chilean NavyChilean Navy

DenmarkDenmark

EstoniaEstonia

Estonian Maritime MuseumEstonian Maritime Museum

  • Suur Tõll (1922–1940; museum ship in Tallinn since 1987)

Estonian Maritime AdministrationEstonian Maritime Administration

  • Tarmo (1993–; purchased from Finland)

  • EVA 316 (1995–; ex-Lonna; purchased from Finland and converted for icebreaking)

Port of TallinnPort of Tallinn

  • Karu (1988–2002; ex-Karhu, ex-Kapitan Chubakov; purchased from Finland and sold to Russia)

  • Botnica (2012–; purchased from Finland)

FinlandFinland

State-owned icebreakers

Steam-powered

Diesel-electric

Karhu class

  • Karhu (1958–1986; sold to Estonia)

  • Murtaja (1959–1986; broken up)

  • Sampo (1961–1987; sold to the city of Kemi)

Tarmo class

Urho class

Otso class

Multipurpose icebreakers

  • Fennica (1993–)

  • Nordica (1994–)

  • Botnica (1998–2012; sold to Estonia)

  • Polaris (2016–)

  • A new icebreaker is expected to enter service in 2029.

Finnish Environment InstituteFinnish Environment Institute

Finnish NavyFinnish Navy

  • Louhi (1975–1986; ex-Sisu; broken up)

  • Louhi (2011–)

Alfons HåkansAlfons Håkans

  • Zeus of Finland (1995–; ex-Zeus)

  • Thetis (2016–2023; ex-Storm Express, ex-Maersk Shipper, ex-Maersk Placentia, ex-Placentia Bay; sold to Russia)

KemiCity of Kemi

HelsinkiCity of Helsinki

  • Otso (1936–1970s; sold)

  • Turso (1944–1945; handed over to the Soviet Union as war reparations)

  • Teuvo (1975–1985; sold and later converted to pusher tug)

FranceFrance

French NavyFrench Navy

Compagnie du PonantCompagnie du Ponant

Other

  • L'Astrolabe (1988–2017; ex-Austral Fish, ex-Fort Resolution; decommissioned and sold to a private company)

GermanyGermany

Historical

  • Elbe (1911–??; museum ship)

  • Hindenburg (1916–1918; sunk by mine)

  • Stettin (1933–1981; museum ship)

  • Wal (1938–1990; museum ship)

  • Castor (1941–1945; sunk by mine but later raised by the Soviet Union)

  • Eisvogel (1942–1945; handed over to the Soviet Union)

  • Eisbär (1942–1946; handed over to the Soviet Union)

  • Pollux (1943–1945; sunk by mine)

Alfred-Wegener-Institut

  • Polarstern (1982–)

  • New icebreaking polar research vessel Polarstern II is expected to enter service in 2030.

Other

  • Eisvogel (1961–2006; sold)

  • Eisbär (1961–1997; sold)

    Max Waldeck (1966–2006; broken up; fitted with Thyssen-Waas bow in 1981)

  • Stephan Jantzen (1967–2005; museum ship)

  • Neuwerk (1997–)

  • Arkona (2004–)

ItalyItaly

  • Laura Bassi (2019–; ex-RRS Ernest Shackleton; purchases from the United Kingdom)

JapanJapan

Tatsunan Kisen Co.

Tenryō Maru-class (ice-strengthened cargo/transport)

Imperial Japanese NavyImperial Japanese Navy

Tenryō Maru-class (ice-strengthened cargo/transport)

  • Sōya (1940–1945; transferred to the Japan government and later the coast guards; now a museum ship)

Imperial Japanese ArmyImperial Japanese Army

Tenryō Maru-class (ice-strengthened cargo/transport)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceJapan Maritime Self-Defense Force

  • Fuji (1965–1985; museum ship)

  • Shirase (1981–2008; sold to a private company)

  • Shirase (2008–)

Japan Coast GuardJapan Coast Guard

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and TechnologyJapan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

  • Mirai II (2027– (planned); under construction)

KazakhstanKazakhstan

The following icebreaking supply ships are operating or have operated in the Kazakh Caspian Sea oil fields:

Mangystau-class icebreaking tugs

  • Mangystau-1 (2010–2023; transferred to Turkmenian flag)

  • Mangystau-2 (2010–2020; transferred to Turkmenian flag)

  • Mangystau-3 (2011–)

  • Mangystau-4 (2011–)

  • Mangystau-5 (2011–)

Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of KazakhstanKazakhstani Coast Guard

  • Kazhymukan (2016–)

Ministry of Emergency Situations (Kazakhstan)Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan

  • Ledokol-2 (1984–)

LatviaLatvia

NetherlandsNetherlands

GreenpeaceGreenpeace

Other

  • Nabil (2022–; completed but not delivered to Russia due to sanctions)

NorwayNorway

Norwegian Coast GuardNorwegian Coast Guard

Norwegian Polar InstituteNorwegian Polar Institute

Other

  • Norhope (1970–1973; ex-Göta Lejon; broken up in 1974)

  • Polar Circle (2022–2024; sold to Sweden)

PolandPoland

  • Kuna (1884–; oldest in service river icebreaker in the world)

  • Perkun (1963–1993; broken up)

RussiaRussia

Icebreakers

The following lists include icebreakers owned and/or operated by either Russian governmental or commercial entities.

Nuclear-powered icebreakers

The following ships are nuclear-powered icebreakers;

  • (1959–1989; museum ship in Murmansk)

    (1975–2008; ex-Leonid Brezhnev, ex-Arktika; decommissioned)

  • (1977–1992; decommissioned)

  • (1985–2013; decommissioned)

  • (1990–2014; decommissioned)

  • (1992–)

  • (2007–)

Taymyr class

  • (1989–)

  • (1990–)

Project 22220

  • (2020–)

  • (2021–)

  • (2022–)

  • (2025–)

  • (2027– (planned); under construction)

  • (2028– (planned); under construction)

  • (2030– (planned); under construction)

Project 10510

  • (2030– (current estimate); under construction)

==== Diesel-powered icebreakers ==== The following ships are/were fitted with diesel engines for powering their propulsion;

  • Severny Veter (1944–1951; ex-USCGC Staten Island; returned to the United States)

  • Severniy Polyus (1945–1951; ex-USS Westwind; returned to the United States)

  • Admiral Makarov (1945–1949; ex-USCGC Southwind; returned to the United States)

Kapitan Belousov class

  • (1954–1991; sold to Ukraine)

  • (1955–1996; broken up)

  • (1956–1994; broken up)

Moskva class

  • (1959–1998; broken up)

  • (1960–1993; broken up)

  • (1965–1993; broken up)

  • (1968–1995; broken up)

  • (1969–1997; broken up)

Civilian variants of (Project 97A)

  • (1961–1989; ex-Ledokol-1; broken up)

  • (1962–1992; ex-Ledokol-2; passed over to Ukraine)

  • (1962–1996; ex-Ledokol-3; broken up)

  • (1963–1988; ex-Ledokol-4; broken up)

  • (1963–1993; ex-Ledokol-5; broken up)

  • (1964–; ex-Ledokol-6)

  • (1964–1988; ex-Ledokol-7; broken up)

  • (1965–1988; ex-Ledokol-8; broken up)

  • (1965–2021; ex-Ledokol-9; broken up)

  • (1970–2013; broken up)

  • (1971–1997; broken up)

  • (1971–)

Ermak class

  • (1974–2021; broken up)

  • (1975–)

  • (1976–)

Kapitan M. Izmaylov class

  • (1976–)

  • (1976–)

  • (1976–1992; transferred to Azerbaijan)

Kapitan Sorokin class

  • (1977–; fitted with Thyssen-Waas bow in 1991)

  • (1978–; fitted with a new bow in 1990)

  • (1980–)

  • (1981–)

Kapitan Chechkin class

  • (1977–)

  • (1977–)

  • (1978–)

  • (1978–)

  • (1978–)

  • (1978–)

Mudyug class

  • (1982–; fitted with Thyssen-Waas bow in 1986)

  • (1982–)

  • (1983–)

Kapitan Evdokimov class

  • (1983–)

  • (1983–)

  • (1983–)

  • (1983–)

  • (1984–)

  • (1984–)

  • (1984–)

  • (1986–)

  • (2000–; purchased from Sweden)

  • (2002–2020; ex-Karhu, ex-Kapitan Chubakov; purchased from Estonia; broken up)

  • (2006–; ex-Apu; purchased from Finland)

Project 21900

  • (2008–)

  • (2009–)

Project 21900M

  • (2015–)

  • (2015–)

  • (2016–)

  • (2019–)

  • (2019–; ex-Antarcticaborg; purchased from Kazakhstan)

  • (2020–)

  • Kapitan Belousov (2023–; captured from Ukraine)

  • Vyborg (2028– (latest estimate); under construction)

Project 22740M

  • Unnamed Project 22740M icebreaker (2027– (planned); under construction)

  • Unnamed Project 22740M icebreaker (2028– (planned); under construction)

Steam-powered icebreakers

The following icebreakers and icebreaking ships were powered by steam;

  • (1864–1890; broken up?)

  • (1890–1915; later converted to a gunboat)

  • (1895–1923; handed over to Latvia)

  • (1895–1968; sunk)

  • (1897–1924; later converted to a gunboat)

  • (1899–1963; broken up)

  • (1898–1930; broken up)

  • (1899–1923; broken up)

  • (1907–1942; sunk by Germans)

  • (1909–1918; sank in 1918)

  • (1909–1950s?; broken up)

  • (1910–1918, 1922–late 1950s; broken up)

  • (1912–1940; sunk in 1940)

  • (1912–1915; sunk in 1915)

  • (1914–1941; ex-Sleipner (1896–1914); purchased from Denmark; sunk in 1941)

  • Volynets (1914–1918, 1940–1985; ex-Tsar' Mikhail Fyodorovich, ex-Wäinämöinen, ex-Suur Tõll; sold to Estonia in 1987)

  • (1914–1958; ex-CGC Earl Grey; purchased from Canada; broken up)

  • (1915–1920; interned and sold to France)

  • (1915–1918; ex-Adventure (1909–1915); purchased from Canada; sunk in 1918)

  • (1915–1967; ex-Beothic (1909–1915); purchased from Canada; broken up)

  • (1915–1941; ex-Lintrose (1912–1915); sunk in 1941)

  • Skuratov (1915–1922; ex-CGS Minto (1899–1915), ex-Ivan Susanin (1915–1920), ex-Leitenant Dreyer (1920–1921); purchased from Canada; sank in 1922)

  • (1916–1971; broken up)

  • (1916–1918)

  • (1916–1967; ex-Bonaventure (1909–1916); purchased from Canada; broken up)

  • (1917–1942; ex-Bellaventure (1909–1917); purchased from Canada; sunk by Germans)

  • (1916–1941; sank in 1941)

  • (1916–1961; broken up)

  • (1916–1954; broken up)

  • (1917–1961; broken up)

  • (1917–1932; sank in White Sea)

  • (1917–1971; extensively rebuilt in 1953–1960, now a museum ship in St. Petersburg)

  • (1917–1968; broken up)

  • (1917–1941; ex-Lieutenant Schmidt; ex-Knyaz Pozharskiy; sunk)

  • (1929–1964)

  • (1938–1973; ex-I. Stalin (−1961); broken up)

  • (1938–1967; ex-L. Kaganovich (−1951); broken up)

  • (1941–1967; ex-V. Molotov (−1956); broken up)

  • (1941–1968; broken up)

  • (1945–1970; ex-Voima; broken up)

  • Sibiryakov (1945–1972; ex-Jääkarhu; broken up)

  • Alyosha Popovich (1945–1970; ex-Eisvogel; decommissioned and abandoned off Russky Island)

  • (1946–1979; ex-Eisbär; broken up in 1981)

  • Peresvet (1951–1980; ex-Castor; decommissioned and abandoned off Reyneke Island)

Other icebreaking vessels

Rescue and salvage vessels

Stroptivyy class

Project MPSV06

Project MPSV06M

Offshore vessels

The following Russian-owned, -operated and/or -flagged icebreaking anchor handling tug supply vessels, platform supply vessels, standby vessels etc. are or have been engaged primarily in offshore oil and gas projects:

In addition, the following shallow-draught icebreaking offshore vessels operate in the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea oil fields:

  • Arctic (2012–)

  • Antarctic (2017–)

  • Polar (2021–)

  • Polus (2021–)

Patrol and naval vessels

The following icebreakers and other icebreaking vessels are or have been in service with the Russian Navy, Russian Border Guard, and their predecessors:

  • Purga (1957–1990; broken up)

Dobrynya Nikitich class (Project 97) and its variants

Ivan Susanin class (Project 97P)

Project 21180M

Project 23550

  • (2025–)

  • (2024– (original plan); under construction)

  • (2024– (original plan); under construction; damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack in March 2026)

  • (under construction)

Research and survey vessels

Dobrynya Nikitich class (Project 97) variants

South AfricaSouth Africa

South KoreaSouth Korea

  • Araon (2009–)

  • A new research icebreaker is expected to enter service by December 2029

Soviet UnionSoviet Union

  1. See Russia

SwedenSweden

Swedish Maritime AdministrationSwedish Maritime Administration

  • Sankt Erik (1915–1977; ex-Isbrytaren II (−1959); museum ship since 1977)

  • Atle (1926–1967; ex-Statsisbrytaren (−1931); broken up)

  • Ymer (1933–1977; broken up)

  • Thule (1953–1998; broken up)

  • Oden (1957–1988; broken up)

  • Tor (1964–2000; sold to Russia)

  • Njord (1969–2000; sold and renamed Polar Star)

  • Ale (1973–)

Atle class

  • Atle (1974–)

  • Frej (1975–)

  • Ymer (1977–)

  • Oden (1988–)

  • Idun (2024–; purchased from Norway)

  • Unnamed new icebreaker (2029– (planned); ordered)

Trans Viking Icebreaking & OffshoreTrans Viking Icebreaking & Offshore

Three icebreaking anchor handling tug supply vessels were chartered by the Swedish Maritime Administration for escort icebreaking duties in the Baltic Sea until 2015.

Other

  • (1932–1963; sold to Norway in 1970)

TurkmenistanTurkmenistan

  • Mangystau-2 (2020–2021; sold to Canada)

  • Mangystau-1 (2023–)

UkraineUkraine

United KingdomUnited Kingdom

  • (1990–2008; broken up)

  • (1991–2021; sold to Ukraine)

  • (1995–2019; sold to Italy)

  • (2011–)

  • (2020–)

United StatesUnited States

United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard

Wind class

Polar class

Bay class

Polar Security Cutters

  • (WMSP-21) (2033– (latest estimate); under construction)

  • (WMSP-22) has been ordered

  • (WMSP-23) has been authorized

Arctic Security Cutters

  • Two Arctic Security Cutters to be built by Rauma Marine Constructions in Finland (2028– (planned); ordered)

  • Four Arctic Security Cutters to be built by Bollinger Shipyards in the United States (2029– (planned); under construction)

  • Five Arctic Security Cutters to be built by Davie Shipbuilding at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland (2028– (planned); under construction) and Gulf Copper in the United States (2030 (planned); ordered)

National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation

Edison Chouest OffshoreEdison Chouest Offshore

Historical

References

es:Rompehielos#Algunos rompehielos