Russia Launches ‘World’s Biggest, Most Powerful’ Nuclear Icebreaker Ship

Russia has floated out the world’s largest nuclear-powered icebreaker ship as the country moves to reinforce its leadership in the Arctic.

First tanker for Yamal LNG starts voyage over Northern Sea Route

The first ice-class LNG carrier "Christophe de Margerie" to work within the Yamal LNG project framework entered the Kara Sea and started its first voyage along the Northern Sea Route (NSR), Yamal LNG company said on Tuesday.

Antarctic capacity will be boosted: China

China published its first white paper on its Antarctic explorations on Monday, pledging to boost its capabilities in the exploration and study of the continent.

US 'Way Behind' on Icebreakers Fleet, Needs to Catch Up

The United States is far behind in terms of icebreakers in the Arctic and needs to close the gap, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan told Sputnik.

Russian ships cross Northern Sea Route westwards for first time this winter

A convoy of Russian ships has crossed the Northern Sea Route westwards for the first time in conditions of winter navigation. Sovcomflot, one of the world's leading shipping companies, reported.

China to build Antarctic astronomical observatory

China is near to building a South Pole Astronomical Observatory, according to four astronomers onboard the Chinese scientific icebreaker Xuelong (or Snow Dragon), which left the port of Shanghai Wednesday for China's 33th Antarctic Expedition.

Russia to develop super icebreaker able to clear passage through 5-meter ice

Russia plans to develop a super-powerful icebreaker that will be able to operate in any ice situation and clear a passage through a 5-meter ice, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Thursday.

First Russian ice-breaker in 45 years floated out

The Russian navy's first new icebreaker in decades, the Ilya Muromets, was floated out during a ceremony Friday in St. Petersburg, the Tass news agency reports.

Australian icebreaker runs aground in Antarctica

The Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis has run aground in Antarctica during a mission to resupply the Mawson Station after it broke free of its moorings in a blizzard.

Melting Ice to Make Northern Sea Route Europe’s Shortcut to Asia

With the Arctic ice cover succumbing to the non-stop process of global warming, the Northern Sea Route may soon offer Russian travelers a much-needed shortcut to Asia and back, Russian TV channel Zvezda reported.

Russia and Finland Sign Icebreaker Deal for Baltic Sea

Russia and Finland have signed an agreement on the provision of mutual icebreaking services in a bid to improve navigation in the eastern Gulf of Finland.

The new rules will allow Finnish icebreakers to operate in Russian territorial waters in return for financial compensation, said a statement posted Monday on the Finnish Transportation Ministry website.

Xuelong to try and free itself from the ice

A Chinese icebreaker stuck in the Antarctic has cleared a path through the ice one kilometer in length.

The deputy director of the Xue Long, or Snow Dragon, says the vessel will use the channel to pick up as much speed as possible in order to free itself from the ice. 

The team, which has enough water to last them a month, is now waiting for favorable weather conditions.

U.S.icebreaker Polar Star to help vessels trapped in Antarctica: AMSA

SYDNEY, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has requested the U.S. Coast Guard's icebreaker Polar Star to assist the Russian vessel MV Akademik Shokalskiy and the Chinese vessel Xue Long (Snow Dragon)which are stuck by ice in Antarctica.

AMSA has identified the Polar Star as a vessel capable of assisting the trapped vessels.

The U.S. Coast Guard accepted this request on Saturday and will make Polar Star available for the rescue operation, AMSA said in the latest statement.

All Passengers Rescued From Russian Ship Stranded in Antarctic

MOSCOW, January 2 (RIA Novosti) – A Chinese helicopter successfully flew to safety all 52 passengers from a stranded Russian cruise ship stuck in Antarctic pack ice Thursday in a long delayed rescue mission, the authority coordinating the rescue said.
The ship, the Akademik Shokalskiy, has been stuck in the ice 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont d'Urville since December 24 with its crew of 22 and 52 passengers, many of them scientists.
The helicopter, from a nearby Chinese ship, the Xue Long, landed on the ice near the Russian ship, and then flew the passengers to an Australian ship, the Aurora Australis.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the coordinating body for the rescue, said: “Aurora Australis has advised AMSA that the 52 passengers from the Akademik Shokalskiy are now on board.”

China prepares to airlift Russian scientists

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The helicopter on board the Chinese icebreaker "Xuelong" is ready to airlift Russian scientists and crew from the ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy, trapped in ice off Antarctica.

The 22 crew and 52 scientists and tourists on board the ship welcomed the new year as they awaited rescue.

Icebound Russian Ship's Passengers to Be Rescued by Helicopter...

MOSCOW, December 30 (RIA Novosti) – All passengers and four crew members aboard a Russian research ship stuck in the ice off the coast of Antarctica will soon be evacuated by a Chinese helicopter, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday.

“A decision has been made to evacuate 52 passengers and four crew members by a helicopter from China’s Xuelong icebreaker, if weather conditions are suitable,” the ministry said.

Eighteen crew members are expected to remain aboard the icebound ship, the Akademik Shokalsky.

Antarctic mission now pinning hopes on Australian icebreaker for rescue. -VIDEO. L'Akademik Shokalskiy toujours prisonnier des glaces

 Scientists on the Australasian Antarctic Expedition remain trapped for a fourth day after a Chinese icebreaker that was en route to rescue the ship failed to push its way through the heavy ice.

The Chinese ship Snow Dragon was just 11 kilometres away from the Russian ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy on Saturday morning, but the icebreaker was forced to turn back after being stalled in heavy ice.

France’s L’Astrolable icebreaker also called off its rescue mission Saturday after failing to break through the ice around the ship, said Lisa Martin, spokeswoman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.