Ice-Going Ships

In the olden days, skippers used axes and later even dynamite to open up shipping lanes or entire ports covered by ice. Real success was rare. Later, technological progress made it possible to build ships able to brave even strong ice sheets.

Such vessels are characterized by stable steel hulls and ultra-powerful engines. Today, icebreakers keep shipping lanes free. And fully laden ice-going cargo vessels can deal with ice sheets up to 5 feet thick. Without needing help.

Drive couplings and drive shafts ensure powerful and precisely controllable propulsion, even under extreme conditions. The Voith Schneider Propeller is particularly suited for any operation in ice as it pushes ice floes to the side, thus creating a wider passage.