View source for Polar Class

{{Short description|Ice class}}
{{About|ice class|ships or projects referred to as polar icebreakers or polar-class icebreakers|Polar icebreaker (disambiguation){{!}}polar icebreaker}}

[[File:12 1412m - SA Agulhas II (12705104293).jpg|thumb|right|The 2012-built South African polar research vessel ''[[S. A. Agulhas II]]'' is one of the few vessels rated PC{{nbsp}}5 or higher.]]

'''Polar Class''' ('''PC''') refers to the [[ice class]] assigned to a [[ship]] by a [[classification society]] based on the ''Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ships'' developed by the [[International Association of Classification Societies]] (IACS). Seven Polar Classes are defined in the rules, ranging from PC 1 for year-round operation in all polar waters to PC 7 for summer and autumn operation in thin first-year ice.<ref name="pc">[https://iacs.s3.af-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/12082657/uri-1.pdf Unified Requirements for Polar Class ships] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620102507/http://www.iacs.org.uk/document/public/Publications/Unified_requirements/PDF/UR_I_pdf410.pdf |date=2012-06-20 }}. International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), April 2016. {{retrieved|accessdate=2024-02-16}}</ref>

The IACS Polar Class rules should not be confused with [[International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters]] (Polar Code) by the [[International Maritime Organization]] (IMO).

== Background ==
The development of the Polar Class rules began in the 1990s with an international effort to harmonize the requirements for marine operations in the polar waters in order to protect life, property and the environment. The guidelines developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which were later incorporated in the Polar Code,<ref name="kendrick">Kendrick, A. [http://www.sname.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=941db58b-51e4-4842-b5c3-ef15831672c0 ''Polar Ship Design Standards – State of the Art, and Way Forward''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913135030/http://www.sname.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=941db58b-51e4-4842-b5c3-ef15831672c0 |date=2017-09-13 }}. {{retrieved|accessdate=2017-03-11}}</ref> made reference to the compliance with ''Unified Requirements for Polar Ships'' developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). In May 1996, an "Ad-Hoc Group to establish Unified Requirements for Polar Ships (AHG/PSR)" was established with one working group concentrating on the structural requirements and another working on machinery-related issues. The first IACS Polar Class rules were published in 2007.<ref name="pc_history">[http://www.iacs.org.uk/document/public/Publications/TBs/URTB.pdf History Files (HF) and Technical Background (TB) documents for Unified Requirements (URs)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019214521/http://www.iacs.org.uk/document/public/Publications/TBs/URTB.pdf |date=2015-10-19 }}. International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), December 2016. {{retrieved|accessdate=2017-03-11}}</ref>

Prior to the development of the unified requirements, each classification society had their own set of ice class rules ranging from Baltic ice classes intended for operation in first-year ice to higher vessel categories, including icebreakers, intended for operations in polar waters. When developing the upper and lower boundaries for the Polar Classes, it was agreed that the highest Polar Class vessels (PC&nbsp;1) should be capable of operating safely anywhere in the Arctic or the Antarctic waters at any time of the year while the lower boundary was set to existing tonnage operating during the summer season, most of which followed the Baltic ice classes with some upgrades and additions. The lowest Polar Class (PC&nbsp;7) was thus set to the similar level with the Finnish-Swedish ice class 1A. The definition of operational conditions for each Polar Class was intentionally left vague due to the wide variety of ship operations carried out in polar waters.<ref name="kendrick" />

== Definition ==
=== Polar Class notations ===

The IACS has established seven different Polar Class notations, ranging from PC&nbsp;1 (highest) to PC&nbsp;7 (lowest), with each level corresponding to operational capability and strength of the vessel. The description of ice conditions where ships of each Polar Class are intended to operate are based on [[World Meteorological Organization]] (WMO) ''Sea Ice Nomenclature''.<ref name="wmo">{{cite web|publisher=[[World Meteorological Organization]]|title=Guide to meteorological instruments and methods of observation: Sea Ice Nomenclature, 7th ed. |pages=12–13|url=https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=4651|access-date=5 April 2023}}</ref> These definitions are intended to guide owners, designers and administrations in selecting the appropriate Polar Class to match the intended voyage or service of the vessel. Ships with sufficient power and strength to undertake "aggressive operations in ice-covered waters", such as escort and ice management operations, can be assigned an additional notation "[[Icebreaker]]".<ref name="pc" />

The two lowest Polar Classes (PC&nbsp;6 and PC&nbsp;7) are roughly equivalent to the two highest [[Finnish-Swedish ice class]]es (1A Super and 1A, respectively).<ref name="equivalence">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051118/http://www.finlex.fi/data/normit/36442-Vastluettmaar_TRAFI_31299_03_04_01_00_2010_EN_corr_20_Dec_2010.pdf Finnish ice classes equivalent to class notations of recognized classification societies and documentation required for the determination of the ice classes of ships]. Maritime Safety Regulation TRAFI/31299/03.04.01.00/2010, Finnish Transport Safety Agency, 23 November 2010. {{retrieved | accessdate=2011-11-21}}</ref> However, unlike the Baltic ice classes intended for operation only in first-year sea ice, even the lowest Polar Classes consider the possibility of encountering multi-year ice ("old ice inclusions").<ref name="pc" />

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Polar Class
! Ice descriptions in Polar Class rules<ref name="pc" />
! Corresponding ice thickness in the [[WMO]] ''Sea Ice Nomenclature''<ref name="wmo" />
|-
|PC 1
|Year-round operation in all polar waters
|Not defined
|-
|PC 2
|Year-round operation in moderate multi-year ice conditions
|Up to {{cvt|3.0|m|ft}} or more
|-
|PC 3
|Year-round operation in second-year ice which may include multi-year ice inclusions
|Up to {{cvt|2.5|m|ft}} and sometimes more
|-
|PC 4
|Year-round operation in thick first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions
|Over {{cvt|120|cm|ft}}
|-
|PC 5
|Year-round operation in medium first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions
|{{cvt|70|to|120|cm|ft}}
|-
|PC 6
|Summer/autumn operation in medium first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions
|{{cvt|70|to|120|cm|ft}}
|-
|PC 7
|Summer/autumn operation in thin first-year ice which may include old ice inclusions
|{{cvt|30|to|70|cm|ft}}
|-
|}

=== Requirements ===
In the Polar Class rules, the hull of the vessel is divided longitudinally into four regions: "bow", "bow intermediate", "midbody" and "stern". All longitudinal regions except the bow are further divided vertically into "bottom", "lower" and "icebelt" regions. For each region, a design ice load is calculated based on the dimensions, hull geometry, and ice class of the vessel. This ice load is then used to determine the [[scantlings]] and [[steel grade]]s of structural elements such as shell plating and frames in each location. The design scenario used to determine the ice loads is a glancing collision with a floating ice floe.<ref name="pc" />

In addition to structural details, the Polar Class rules have requirements for machinery systems such as the main propulsion, steering gear, and systems essential for the safety of the crew and survivability of the vessel. For example, propeller-ice interaction should be taken into account in the propeller design, cooling systems and sea water inlets should be designed to work also in ice-covered waters, and the ballast tanks should be provided with effective means of preventing freezing.<ref name="pc" />

Although the rules generally require the ships to have suitable hull form and sufficient propulsion power to operate independently and at continuous speed in ice conditions corresponding to their Polar Class,<ref name="pc" /> the ice-going capability requirements of the vessel are not clearly defined in terms of speed or ice thickness. In practice, this means that the Polar Class of the vessel may not reflect the actual icebreaking capability of the vessel.

== Polar Class ships == 

The IACS Polar Class rules apply for ships contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2007.<ref name="pc" /> This means that while vessels built prior to this date may have an equivalent or even higher level of ice strengthening, they are not officially assigned a Polar Class and may not in fact fulfill all the requirements in the unified requirements. In addition, particularly Russian ships and icebreakers are assigned ice classes only according to the requirements of the [[Russian Maritime Register of Shipping]], which maintains its own ice class rules parallel to the IACS Polar Class rules.

Although numerous ships have been built to the two least hardened Polar Classes, PC{{nbsp}}6 and PC{{nbsp}}7, only a small number of ships have been assigned ice class PC{{nbsp}}5 or higher. <!-- The subchapters of this chapter include an exhaustive list of all vessels rated PC 5 or higher - do not add ships that have lower ice class or non-PC ice class -->

=== Polar Class 5 ===
[[File:SH Minerva in Ostermoor VIII.jpg|thumb|right|The 2020-built ''[[SH Minerva]]'' is a small expedition cruise ship with Polar Class 5 rating.]]

A number of [[research vessel]]s intended for scientific missions in the polar regions are built to PC{{nbsp}}5 rating: the South African ''[[S. A. Agulhas II]]'' in 2012,<ref>{{csr|register=DNV|id=30528|shipname=S. A. Agulhas II|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> the American [[RV Sikuliaq|''Sikuliaq'']] in 2014,<ref>{{csr|register=ABS|id=14221929|shipname=Sikuliaq|access-date=16 June 2014}}</ref> and the British [[RRS Sir David Attenborough|RRS ''Sir David Attenborough'']] in 2020.<ref group="Note">Hull strengthened to PC{{nbsp}}4.</ref><ref>{{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=9798222|title=Sir David Attenborough|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rina.org.uk/Planet_ice_and_the_dual-functional_Attenborough.html|title=Planet ice and the dual-functional Attenborough|publisher=The Royal Institution of Naval Architects|date=January 2017|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> In addition, a [[Antartica 1|PC{{nbsp}}5 Antarctic vessel]] [[Chilean icebreaker Almirante Viel|''Almirante Viel'']] was commissioned for the [[Chilean Navy]] in July 2024.<ref>{{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=9843948|shipname=ASMAR TALCAHUANO 114|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> 

In 2012, the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] awarded a shipbuilding contract for the construction of six [[Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel|Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS)]] rated at PC{{nbsp}}5.<ref group="Note">Bow strengthened to PC{{nbsp}}4.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navalassoc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/BN14-AOPV_apr19.pdf|title=Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel|work=Naval Affairs Program Briefing #14|publisher=Naval Association of Canada|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525075502/https://www.navalassoc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/BN14-AOPV_apr19.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{asof|2025}}, the first four vessels ({{HMCS|Harry DeWolf||2}}, {{HMCS|Margaret Brooke||2}}, {{HMCS|Max Bernays||2}} and {{HMCS|William Hall||2}}) have entered service,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melanson |first=Ryan |publisher=Government of Canada |date=25 June 2021 |access-date=26 June 2021 |title=HMCS Harry DeWolf: RCN to commission first new ship in over two decades |url=http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/news-operations/news-view.page?doc=hmcs-harry-dewolf-rcn-to-commission-first-new-ship-in-over-two-decades/koej1iai |url-status=live |archive-date=6 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106215838/http://www.navy-marine.forces.gc.ca/en/news-operations/news-view.page?doc=hmcs-harry-dewolf-rcn-to-commission-first-new-ship-in-over-two-decades%2Fkoej1iai }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/10/his-majestys-canadian-ship-margaret-brooke-commissioned-into-service.html|title=His Majesty's Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke commissioned into service|publisher=Department of National Defence of Canada|date=28 October 2022|access-date=28 October 2022|archive-date=28 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028184525/https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/10/his-majestys-canadian-ship-margaret-brooke-commissioned-into-service.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Defence |first=National |date=3 May 2024 |title=HMCS Max Bernays Commissioned today in Vancouver, B.C. |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2024/05/hmcs-max-bernays-commissioned-today-in-vancouver-bc.html |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2024/05/hmcs-william-hall-commissioned-into-service-in-halifax-ns.html|title=HMCS William Hall Commissioned into Service in Halifax, N.S.|website=Government of Canada|date=16 May 2024|accessdate=16 May 2024}}</ref> the fifth ({{HMCS|Frédérick Rolette||2}}) has been delivered,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://shipsforcanada.ca/our-stories/the-future-hmcs-fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9rick-rolette-canadas-fifth-arctic-and-offshore-patrol-ship-is-delivered-to-the-royal-canadian-navy|title=The future HMCS Frédérick Rolette, Canada’s Fifth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship is Delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy|website=Irving Shipbuilding Inc.|date=29 August 2024|accessdate=29 August 2024}}</ref> and the sixth ({{HMCS|Robert Hampton Gray||2}}) is being fitted out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thedefensepost.com/2024/12/10/canada-final-dewolf-ship/ |title=Irving Launches Final Canadian Navy Harry DeWolf Arctic Patrol Ship |website=The Defense Post |last=Manuel |first=Rojeff |date=10 December 2024|access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref> Two additional ships, {{CCGS|Donjek Glacier}} and {{CCGS|Sermilik Glacier}}, are under construction for the [[Canadian Coast Guard]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-coast-guard/news/2023/08/construction-officially-begins-on-the-first-canadian-coast-guard-arctic-and-offshore-patrol-ship.html|title=Construction officially begins on the first Canadian Coast Guard Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship|publisher=Government of Canada|date=8 August 2023|accessdate=8 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2024 |title=Irving Shipbuilding Begins Construction of the Production Test Module for the Canadian Surface Combatant and Cuts Steel on AOPS 8 |url=https://shipsforcanada.ca/our-stories/irving-shipbuilding-celebration-of-progress-and-milestones |access-date=9 July 2024 |website=Irving Shipbuilding |language=en-CA}}</ref>

{{asof|2025}}, four cruise ships have been built with PC{{nbsp}}5 rating: ''[[National Geographic Endurance]]'' (delivered in 2020) and ''[[National Geographic Resolution]]'' (2021) for [[Lindblad Expeditions]],<ref>{{csr|register=DNV|id=39066|shipname=National Geographic Endurance|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{csr|register=DNV|id=40923|shipname=National Geographic Resolution|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> and ''[[SH Minerva]]'' (2021) and ''[[SH Vega]]'' (2022) for [[Swan Hellenic]].<ref>{{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=9895240|shipname=SH Minerva|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=9895252|shipname=SH Vega|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref>

=== Polar Class 4 ===
[[File:Finnish icebreaker Polaris (24 March 2017).jpg|thumb|right|The Finnish LNG-powered icebreaker [[Polaris (icebreaker)|''Polaris'']], built in 2016, is rated Polar Class 4 with an additional notation "Icebreaker(+)" denoting additional strengthening.]]

The 2012-built [[drillship]] ''[[Stena IceMAX]]'' has a hull strengthened according to PC{{nbsp}}4 requirements.<ref group="Note">Propulsion units strengthened to [[Det Norske Veritas]] ICE-10 rating.</ref><ref>{{csr|register=DNV|id=30052|title=Stena IceMAX|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> However, the {{convert|228|m|ft|0}} long and {{convert|42|m|ft|0}} wide vessel does not feature an icebreaking hull and is designed to operate primarily in pre-broken ("managed") ice.<ref>{{citation|last1=Hals|first1=Torbjørn|last2=Efraimsson|first2=Fredrik|url=http://dynamic-positioning.com/proceedings/dp2011/icetesting_hals.pdf|title=DP Ice Model Test of Arctic Drillship|publisher=Dynamic Positioning Conference|year=2011}}</ref>

The Canadian shipping company [[Fednav]] operates two PC{{nbsp}}4 rated [[bulk carriers]], 2014-built [[Nunavik (ship)|''Nunavik'']] and 2021-built ''[[Arvik I]]''.<ref>{{csr|register=DNV|id=32867|shipname=Nunavik|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{csr|register=DNV|id=39740|shipname=Arvik I|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> The 28,000-tonne vessels are primarily used to transport nickel ore from [[Raglan Mine]] in the Canadian Arctic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fednav.com/en/media/fednav-welcomes-mv-arvik-i-its-newest-icebreaking-bulk-carrier|title=Fednav Welcomes the MV Arvik I - Its Newest Icebreaking Bulk Carrier|website=Fednav|date=29 April 2021|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref>  

In 2015, the hull of the Finnish 1986-built icebreaker [[Otso (icebreaker)|''Otso'']] was reinforced with additional steel to PC{{nbsp}}4 level to allow the vessel to support seismic surveys in the Arctic during the summer months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talouselama.fi/uutiset/otson-kylkiin-terasta-kannelle-helikopterikentta-ja-vesiallas-miehistolle-arktiset-palkanlisat-3474552|title=Otson kylkiin terästä, kannelle helikopterikenttä ja vesiallas – miehistölle arktiset palkanlisät|publisher=Talouselämä|date=10 April 2015|accessdate=11 April 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035614/http://www.talouselama.fi/uutiset/otson-kylkiin-terasta-kannelle-helikopterikentta-ja-vesiallas-miehistolle-arktiset-palkanlisat-3474552|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Finnish LNG-powered icebreaker [[Polaris (icebreaker)|''Polaris'']], built in 2016, is rated PC{{nbsp}}4 with an additional [[Lloyd's Register]] class notation "Icebreaker(+)". The latter part of the notation refers to additional structural strengthening based on analysis of the vessel's operational profile and potential ice loading scenarios.<ref>{{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=9734161|shipname=Polaris|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Chapter 2 Ice Operations - Ice Class - Section 12 Requirements for Icebreaker(+)|work=Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2021|publisher=Lloyd's Register}}</ref>

The interim icebreakers [[CCGS Captain Molly Kool|CCGS ''Captain Molly Kool'']], [[CCGS Jean Goodwill|CCGS ''Jean Goodwill'']], and [[CCGS Vincent Massey|CCGS ''Vincent Massey'']], built in 2000–01 and acquired by the [[Canadian Coast Guard]] 2018, were upgraded to PC{{nbsp}}4 rating as part of the vessels' conversion to Canadian service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.drydockmagazine.com/feature-a-canadian-coast-guard-upgrade/|title= Feature: A Canadian Coast Guard upgrade|date=3 September 2019|publisher=Drydock|accessdate=24 February 2020}}</ref>

In December 2024, the [[Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering]] of the [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]] took delivery of the PC{{nbsp}}4 rated icebreaking research vessel ''[[Tan Suo San Hao]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shipandoffshore.net/news/shipbuilding/detail/news/abb-wins-azipod-deal-for-polar-research-vessel.html|title=ABB wins Azipod deal for polar research vessel|website=Ship & Offshore|date=1 September 2023|accessdate=21 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202412/26/WS676d070ea310f1265a1d51ab.html|title=China delivers independently-developed deep-sea scientific research, archaeological vessel|website=China Daily|date=26 December 2024|access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref>

The new PC{{nbsp}}4 polar logistics vessel of the [[Argentine Navy]] intended to complement the country's existing icebreaker [[ARA Almirante Irízar|ARA ''Almirante Irízar'']] in Antarctica is currently in design stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://defbrief.com/2022/01/01/argentina-funds-construction-of-new-icebreaker/|title=Argentina funds construction of new icebreaker|publisher=Defense Brief|date=1 January 2022|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref>

The [[Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology]] (JAMSTEC) is in the process of acquiring a new PC{{nbsp}}4 rated icebreaker for researching the Arctic region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14329185|title=Japan to build new icebreaker for researching Arctic region|publisher=The Asahi Shimbun|date=12 April 2021|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref>

The [[Swedish Maritime Administration]] is in the process of acquiring a new icebreaker rated PC{{nbsp}}4 Icebreaker(+).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://akerarctic.fi/app/uploads/2022/03/Passion_news_2022_nro_01_Baltic_Sea_icebreaker_sets_new_benchmark.pdf|title=Baltic Sea icebreaker sets new benchmark|publisher=Aker Arctic|work=Arctic Passion News|accessdate=2 May 2023}}</ref> The vessel is expected to enter service in 2028.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sjofartstidningen.se/sjofartsverkets-nya-isbrytare-forsenas/|title=Sjöfartsverkets nya isbrytare försenas|language=sv|website=Sjöfarts Tidningen|date=6 March 2024|access-date=11 March 2025}}</ref>

The new Canadian Coast Guard Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPV) will be rated PC{{nbsp}}4 Icebreaker(+).<ref>{{cite web |title=Multi-Purpose Vessel Designed for Canada |work=Arctic Passion News |publisher=Aker Arctic |url=https://akerarctic.fi/en/arctic-passion/multi-purpose-vessel-designed-for-canada/ |access-date=March 27, 2023 |date=March 8, 2023}}</ref> Sixteen vessels will be built by [[Seaspan]] in the 2020s and 2030s, and the first vessel is expected to enter service in 2028.<ref>{{cite web |title=Multi-Purpose Vessels |website=Seaspan Shipyard |publisher=Seaspan |url=https://www.seaspan.com/seaspan-shipyards/what-we-do/multi-purpose-vessels/ |access-date=March 27, 2023 |date=March 16, 2023}}</ref>

=== Polar Class 3 ===
[[File:Rv kronprins haakon east of nordaustlandet 2021-02-21.jpg|thumb|right|The Polar Class 3 icebreaking research vessel [[RV Kronprins Haakon|''Kronprins Haakon'']] is operated by the [[Norwegian Polar Institute]].]]

The first PC{{nbsp}}3 vessels were two heavy load carriers, ''[[Audax (ship)|Audax]]'' and ''[[Pugnax (ship)|Pugnax]]'', built for the Netherlands-based [[ZPMC-Red Box Energy Services]] in 2016.<ref>{{csr|register=DNV|id=34382|shipname=Audax|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{csr|register=DNV|id=34383|shipname=Pugnax|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> The {{convert|206.3|m|ft|0}} long and {{convert|43|m|ft|0}} wide vessels, capable of breaking up to {{convert|1.5|m|ft|0|adj=on}} ice independently, were built for year-round transportation of [[liquefied natural gas|LNG]] [[liquefaction]] plant modules to [[Sabetta]].<ref>{{citation|chapter-url=https://onepetro.org/OTCARCTIC/proceedings-abstract/18OARC/1-18OARC/D013S005R004/179366|last1=van Lievenoogen|first1=Rinse|last2=Hovilainen|first2=Mika|last3=Valtonen|first3=Ville|title=Day 1 Mon, November 05, 2018 |chapter=AUDAX and PUGNAX, Unique PC-3 Class Heavy Transport Vessels Designed for Module Transportation for LNG Liquefaction Projects in Arctic Remote Locations|publisher=OTC Arctic Technology Conference|date=1 November 2018|doi=10.4043/29113-MS |s2cid=134457857 |accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref>

Although usually referred to by their [[Russian Maritime Register of Shipping]] ice class [[Arc7-class|Arc7]], the fifteen first-generation [[Yamalmax]] [[LNG carrier]]s built in 2016–2019 as well as the arctic condensate tankers [[MT Boris Sokolov|''Boris Sokolov'']] (built in 2018) and [[MT Yuriy Kuchiev|''Yuriy Kuchiev'']] (2019) serving the [[Yamal LNG]] project also have PC{{nbsp}}3 rating from [[Bureau Veritas]].<ref>{{csr|register=BV|id=28765T|shipname=Boris Vilkitsky|accessdate=3 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{csr|register=BV|id=31594T|shipname=Yuriy Kuchiev|accessdate=3 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{csr|register=BV|id=31415Y|shipname=Boris Sokolov|accessdate=3 May 2023}}</ref>

In April 2015, it was reported that Edison Chouest would build two PC{{nbsp}}3 [[anchor handling tug supply vessel]]s (AHTS) for Alaskan operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/yr-2015/pr-040315-rr-to-supply-propulsion-and-deck.aspx|title=Rolls-Royce to supply propulsion and deck machinery to a new vessel for Edison Chouest|website=Rolls-Royce|date=4 March 2015|accessdate=14 May 2016|archive-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603223001/http://www.rolls-royce.com/media/press-releases/yr-2015/pr-040315-rr-to-supply-propulsion-and-deck.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the construction of the vessels due for delivery by the end of 2016 was later cancelled following [[Shell Oil]]'s decision to halt Arctic oil exploration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marinelog.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=10031:chouest-said-to-have-canceled-arctic-ahts-duo&Itemid=230|title=Chouest said to have canceled Arctic AHTS duo|publisher=MarineLog|date=9 November 2015|accessdate=14 May 2016}}</ref>

{{asof|2025}}, three polar research vessels have been built with PC{{nbsp}}3 rating: [[RV Kronprins Haakon|''Kronprins Haakon'']] for the [[Norwegian Polar Institute]] in 2018,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irso.info/wp-content/uploads/Per-Nieuwejaar-Kronprins-Haakon-ice-trials.pdf|title=Kronprins Haakon Ice Trials|accessdate=22 July 2019}}</ref> ''[[Xue Long 2]]'' for the [[Polar Research Institute of China]] in 2019,<ref>{{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=9829241|shipname=Xue Long 2|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/china-launches-domestically-built-xue-long-2-icebreaker|title=China Launches Domestically-Built "Xue Long 2" Icebreaker|publisher=High North News|date=11 September 2018|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> and [[RSV Nuyina|''Nuyina'']] for the [[Australian Antarctic Division]] in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.damenmc.com/zh-cn/news/2021/rsv-nuyina-the-worlds-first-ever-polar-class-3-icebreaker-plus-vessel-with-our-rudder-system|title=RSV Nuyina, the world's first-ever Polar Class 3 Icebreaker Plus vessel equipped with our heaviest rudder system|website=Damen Marine Components|date=28 August 2021|accessdate=7 August 2022|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028040700/https://www.damenmc.com/zh-cn/news/2021/rsv-nuyina-the-worlds-first-ever-polar-class-3-icebreaker-plus-vessel-with-our-rudder-system|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Kronprins Haakon'' also has the additional notation "Icebreaker"<ref>{{csr|register=DNV|id=34021|shipname=Kronprins Haakon|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref> while ''Nuyina''{{'}} notation includes Lloyd's Register's "Icebreaker(+)" notation.<ref>{{csr|register=SEAWEB|id=9797060|shipname=Nuyina|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref>

The Finnish multipurpose icebreakers [[MSV Fennica|''Fennica'']] and [[MSV Nordica|''Nordica'']], built in the early 1990s, were assigned PC{{nbsp}}3 rating as part of the vessels' Polar Code certification in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arctia.fi/en/news/msv-fennica-and-msv-nordica-now-polar-code-certified-with-pc3-notation.html|title=MSV Fennica and MSV Nordica now Polar Code certified with PC3 notation|website=Arctia|date=31 January 2019|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref>

South Korea is in the process of acquiring a new Polar Class 3 research vessel for Arctic and Antarctic regions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2025/03/21/WN5MVTFJBBB4PMUXS4ZMAXTIEE/|title=Korea increases budget for next-gen icebreaker vessel by 57.1 billion won|website=Chosun Biz|date=21 March 2025|accessdate=21 March 2025}}</ref>

=== Polar Class 2 ===

{{asof|2025}}, the only PC{{nbsp}}2 rated vessel in service is the expedition cruise ship {{ship||Le Commandant Charcot}} operated by the French company [[Compagnie du Ponant]]. The 270-passenger vessel, capable of breaking up to {{convert|2.5|m|ft|0}} thick multi-year ice and taking passengers to the [[North Pole]], was delivered in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vard.com/articles/le-commandant-charcot-delivered |title=Le Commandant Charcot delivered|date=2021-08-03 |accessdate=2021-09-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://akerarctic.fi/app/uploads/2021/09/Passion_news_2021_nro_02_08_11.pdf|title=Le Commandant Charcot in ice trials|work=Arctic Passion News|publisher=Aker Arctic|year=2021|accessdate=7 August 2022}}</ref>

The [[United States Coast Guard]] has ordered two out of three planned PC{{nbsp}}2 rated heavy polar icebreakers referred to as [[Polar Security Cutter program|Polar Security Cutters]]. The first contract was awarded in April 2019 and the second in December 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/us-coast-guard-awards-contract-new-polar-class-icebreaker|title= U.S. Coast Guard Awards Contract for New Polar Class Icebreaker|publisher=High North News|date=30 April 2019|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/vt-halter-wins-contract-for-second-uscg-polar-security-cutter|title= VT Halter Wins Contract for Second USCG Polar Security Cutter|publisher=The Maritime Executive|date=30 December 2021|accessdate=2 January 2022}}</ref> Construction of the first vessel, {{USCGC|Polar Sentinel}}, has been delayed by several years and now is not expected to be delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard until at least 2030.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/dec/18/new-u-arctic-icebreakers-won-ready-2030-lawmakers-/|title=New U.S. Arctic icebreakers won't be ready until 2030, lawmakers say|website=Washington Times|date=18 December 2024|accessdate=21 December 2024}}</ref> While the vessels these Polar Security Cutters are intended to replace, {{USCGC|Polar Star}} and {{USCGC|Polar Sea}}, are sometimes referred to as {{sclass2|Polar|icebreaker|1}}s, these mid-1970s icebreakers are not built in accordance with the IACS rules and do not carry a PC rating.

In December 2024, the German research institute [[Alfred Wegener Institute]] contracted [[ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems]] to build a replacement for the 1982-built research icebreaker [[RV Polarstern|''Polarstern'']]. The new vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2030, will be rated PC{{nbsp}}2.<ref name=bmbf>{{cite press release |url=https://www.bmbf.de/SharedDocs/Kurzmeldungen/DE/2024/12/polarstern.html |title=Die neue Polarstern, eines der modernsten Forschungsschiffe weltweit |publisher=Government of Germany |date=19 Dec 2024 |access-date=3 Jan 2025 }}</ref>

In March 2025, the Government of Canada awarded construction contracts for two PC{{nbsp}}2 rated polar icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard under the [[National Shipbuilding Strategy]] [[Polar Icebreaker Project]].<ref name="ccg_polar_backgrounder">{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news/2025/03/construction-of-new-polar-icebreakers-for-the-canadian-coast-guard.html|title=Construction of new polar icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard|website=Government of Canada|date=8 March 2025|accessdate=8 March 2025}}</ref> The first vessel will be built by [[Seaspan ULC|Seaspan Vancouver Shipyards]] and the second, slightly smaller, by [[Davie Shipbuilding]] in co-operation with the Finnish [[Helsinki Shipyard]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news/2025/03/government-of-canada-awards-contract-to-seaspans-vancouver-shipyards-for-construction-of-new-polar-icebreaker.html|title=Government of Canada awards contract to Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards for construction of new polar icebreaker|website=Government of Canada|date=7 March 2025|accessdate=7 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news/2025/03/government-of-canada-awards-contract-to-chantier-davie-canada-inc-for-construction-of-new-polar-icebreaker.html|title=Government of Canada awards contract to Chantier Davie Canada Inc. for construction of new polar icebreaker|website=Government of Canada|date=8 March 2025|accessdate=8 March 2025}}</ref> The vessels, named {{CCGS|Arpatuuq}} and {{CCGS|Imnaryuaq}}, are expected to enter service in the early 2030s.<ref name="ccg_polar_backgrounder" />

=== Polar Class 1 ===

{{asof|2025}}, no ships have been built, under construction, or planned to PC{{nbsp}}1, the highest ice class specified by the IACS.

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://iacs.org.uk/resolutions/unified-requirements/ur-i Unified Requirements for Polar Class ships], International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
* {{cite web | first = Claude | last = Daley | title = Ice Class Rules: Description and Comparison | date = April 2014 | url = http://www.engr.mun.ca/~cdaley/8074/Ice%20Class%20Rules_CD.pdf }}

[[Category:Shipbuilding]]
[[Category:Icebreakers]]
[[Category:Sea ice]]