- Korea and Japan’s icebreaker technologies are gaining importance in U.S. tariff talks as Washington seeks partners to develop Arctic shipping routes to counter China and Russia.
- Korea holds a technological edge in commercial icebreaker construction, having built advanced Arc-7 class vessels.
- Arctic routes offer significant shipping advantages, reducing travel distance and costs, with year-round navigation expected by 2030 due to climate change.
- The U.S. aims to expand its Arctic presence to balance China-Russia cooperation, and Korea is positioned to lead collaboration efforts and secure strategic interests through joint investments.
Korea and Japan are developing strong capabilities in building icebreakers. This expertise is becoming important in ongoing trade talks with the United States. Washington is looking for partners to help develop Arctic shipping routes. This is part of an effort to balance China and Russia’s growing influence in the region. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba highlighted Japan’s advanced icebreaker technology and its potential for cooperation with the U.S.
Icebreaker Collaboration and Growing Demand
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to use icebreaker cooperation as a key point in tariff talks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the upcoming G7 summit in Canada. Demand for icebreakers is expected to rise with increased interest in Arctic shipping routes, especially from the United States. According to a report by the Korea Federation of Korean Industries, the U.S. may order 10 icebreakers between 2025 and 2037.
Professor Ryu Min-cheol of Korea Maritime & Ocean University noted that expanding Arctic routes could lead to more orders. Korea holds an advantage in building commercial icebreakers, while Japan mainly constructs research vessels.
Icebreakers are classified by their icebreaking ability. Advanced Arc-7 class ships can break ice up to 2.1 meters thick and move in both directions using special propulsion systems. Korea has significant experience in this area. In 2005, Samsung Heavy Industries built the world’s first two-way icebreaking oil tanker. In 2019, Samsung signed a contract with Russia’s Zvezda Shipyard to design and partially build 15 Arc-7 icebreaking LNG carriers, with components made in South Korea and assembled in Russia.
Icebreaker Capabilities and Importance of Arctic Routes
Hanwha Ocean, formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, has delivered 15 Arc-7 icebreaking LNG carriers for Russia’s Yamal LNG project and is building six more for global clients. In contrast, Japan has primarily built smaller icebreakers for research, such as the Mirai 2 and the Shirase, which are much smaller than the large commercial vessels used in Arctic shipping.
A Korean shipbuilding industry expert noted that Japan’s limited experience with smaller vessels could lead to challenges if it pursued large icebreaker contracts. Icebreakers are gaining attention due to the increasing strategic and commercial value of Arctic shipping routes, which can reduce transportation time and costs by up to 30 percent compared to traditional routes. For example, the Northern Sea Route from Korea to Europe is about 25 percent shorter than the Suez Canal route.
With global warming, year-round navigation in the Arctic may become possible by 2030. Lee Jae-myung, a leading South Korean political figure, has included Arctic route development in his policy plans. The United States views Arctic expansion as a way to counter growing China-Russia cooperation in the region, which Beijing and Moscow recently emphasized in a joint statement.
A senior researcher from the Korea International Trade Association indicated that while the U.S. lacks sufficient icebreaking capabilities, Korea could take the lead in proposing cooperation, influencing negotiations, and securing a role in Arctic infrastructure through joint investments.
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Source: KoreaJoongAngDaily
