ICE PERFORMANCE OF SHIPS IN OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS OF COMPACT ICE FIELDS. AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Dobrodeev, A. A.^1,2, Sazonov, K. E.^1,2, Zhidkova A. M.^1,3

1) Krylov State Research Centre (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation)
2) Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation)
3) Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation)

The article was received on February 7, 2026

Bibliographic description: Dobrodeev A. A., Sazonov K. E., Zhidkova A. M. Ice performance of ships in operational conditions of compact ice fields. An experimental approach. Arctic: Ecology and Economy, 2026, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 475—484. DOI: 10.25283/2223-4594-2026-16-3-475-484. (In Russian).

Abstract:  The paper presents the experimental results of research conducted in the ice tank of the Krylov State Research Centre to study independent movement of superships ice-class in severe operating conditions of compacted patch ice and ice floes that are quite common in the Arctic. The ice-tank experiment was carried out using two supership models, one of which navigated under above-mentioned conditions in free-running mode, while the other navigated in self-propelled mode under rigid harness. This experimental approach allowed the researchers to obtain more comprehensive data on the ship performance in compacted ice fields. The presented research results demonstrate that, under these conditions, vessel ice resistance can increase by 50—60%. The paper identifies the difficulties encountered in conducting such experiments in ice tanks. The researchers conclude that further study is required to investigate severe operation conditions for superships navigating in the Arctic.

Keywords: operating conditions; fields of compacted ice, supership, ice tank

Funding:  This study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation grant no. 23-19-00039-П “Theoretical basis and applied tools to create a system for intelligent fleet planning and decision support in Arctic shipping” (https://rscf.ru/project/23-19-00039/).

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