Newsroom / 01.07.2025

Engineered for Shallow-Water Icebreaking

The Mangystau class icebreakers are a benchmark in designing vessels for extreme shallow-water and icy conditions—this article highlights why.

Designed by Aker Arctic for the northern Caspian Sea, these vessels demonstrate how to combine a 2.5-metre draught with a 50-tonne bollard pull — enabling year-round operations in one of the world’s most technically demanding maritime regions.

In this article, we cover:

  • The propulsion system enabling high maneuverability and icebreaking in less than 3 meters of water
  • Structural and safety features for operation near H₂S-emitting fields
  • Full-scale validation of icebreaking capability up to 0.9 meters
  • Lessons from the Mangystau class influencing future shallow-draught vessel design
  • Innovative vessel concepts can be highly successful when risks are identified and managed proactively

Read how engineering precision meets harsh reality →

Mangystau class – the ultimate shallow-draught icebreakers