Icebreakers
Global leader in icebreaker design and delivery
Tailor-made for the world’s harshest environments.
As polar routes open and Arctic ambitions rise, the world needs icebreakers that go further - safely, sustainably, and strategically. With a proven legacy across the globe, VARD delivers state-of-the-art vessels built to secure sovereignty, enable research, and power year-round operations in the most demanding conditions.
Shaping the future of polar operations
Decades of leadership in icebreaker design and delivery
For decades, VARD has been at the forefront of icebreaker innovation, delivering vessels that make polar operations possible. From Canada to Chile, from Arctic patrol to Antarctic research.
Our expertise spans design, engineering, and construction of multi-role icebreakers that combine endurance, safety, and sustainability. Each vessel is tailor-made to meet the specific operational requirements of our customers - whether supporting scientific research, securing maritime sovereignty, or ensuring year-round access to critical sea routes.
We have contributed to the design of over 400 vessels world wide. Our track record includes some of the world’s most capable ice-class ships:
CCGS Imnaryuaq
The Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) PC2 icebreaker is currently under construction at Seaspan’s shipyard in Vancouver as part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) program.
Vard Marine was commissioned by the Canadian Coast Guard to develop the technical data package (basic design) that forms the foundation for the vessel’s construction.
The PC2 icebreaker is scheduled for delivery from Seaspan in 2032.
Le Commandant Charcot
First of its kind, Le Commandant Charcot is a the very first luxury icebreaking cruise vessel with LNG propulsion. Built at Vard Shipyards Romania - Tulcea and finalized at Vard Søviknes in Norway, the Polar Class 2 icebreaker ship includes all the latest ‘green’ technologies, such as 100% waste sorted on board and waste treatment.
The ship is fitted with facilities and equipment for research, providing the scientific world with a platform for observation, research and analysis to study water, air, ice, and biodiversity in extreme polar regions.
©PONANT-Nicolas Dubreuil
USCGC Mackinaw
The United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Mackinaw serves as an icebreaker in the Great Lakes, also known as the Great Lakes Icebreaker (GLIB).
Vard Marine contributed to the basic design of the vessel in collaboration with Marinette Marine (now Fincantieri Marinette Marine).
The Mackinaw was delivered in 2005.
Photo: US Coast Guard.
RV Kronprins Haakon
“Kronprins Haakon”, the oceanographic Polar Class 3 icebreaker was built by Fincantieri for the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), the Norwegian governmental body for oceanographic research and fishing. With a gross tonnage of 9,000 tons, more than 100 meters long, 21 wide and a speed up to 15 knots, she is able to move on independently through ice thick up to one meter.
She is built according to criteria that ensure minimum environmental impact and reduced radiation of noise underwater, so as to allow studies on fish and marine mammals. Furthermore, the vessel is able to carry out oceanographic and hydrographic research activities in any area of operation.
Almirante Viel
This Antarctic resupply and research vessel was developed for the Chilean Navy and built by ASMAR shipyard in Valparaíso, Chile.
Vard Marine provided the concept and basic design, along with technical support throughout the construction phase. Aker Arctic participated in the design as a subcontractor to Vard Marine.
The vessel was delivered in 2024.
HMCS Harry DeWolf Class
This class of ships includes five His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) for the Royal Canadian Navy and two Canadian Coast Guard Ships (CCGS) for the Canadian Coast Guard.
Vard Marine developed the concept and basic design under a Definition Design and Classification Design Packagefor the Canadian Navy. The design was subsequently transferred to Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax, which developed the production design and is responsible for construction under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) program.
Photo: Corporal David Veldman, Canadian Armed Forces.
CCGS Naalak Nappaaluk
The CCGS Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV) was delivered to the Canadian Coast Guard on November 5, 2025, from Seaspan’s shipyard in Vancouver, as part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS)program.
Vard Marine developed the concept and basic design directly for the Canadian Coast Guard, and later provided functional and production design development as a subcontractor to Seaspan.
Photo: Seaspan Shipyards.
KV Svalbard
A Polar Class 6 icebreaker that operates in the northern waters around Svalbard. The vessel was finalized at Vard Langsten in Norway and put into service in 2002. It is specially built for operations in polar regions, and holds the DNV class POLAR-10 Icebreaker.
With an ice-strengthened hull, powerful diesel-electric propulsion system, and de-icing system, she is built to break through solid ice. The vessel is equipped with a helicopter deck and hangar to accommodate helicopter operations.
Jan Mayen Class
Designed by LMG Marine in close cooperation with FMA, the three advanced Coast Guard vessels in the Jan Mayen class was built at Vard Shipyards Romania - Tulcea and finalized at Vard Langsten.
The Jan Mayen Class secures Norway's interests in the northern regions. Specially designed to withstand operations in demanding arctic areas, the new coast guard vessels have ice-strengthened hull and ice-class notation and built according to the latest requirements for such specialized vessels.
Two PC2 deliveries
VARD is the only shipbuilder in the world to contribute to the delivery of two PC2-class icebreakers, a testament to our unparalleled expertise in polar vessel design and delivery. These vessels demonstrate our ability to tackle the most extreme environments while meeting stringent operational, safety, and sustainability standards. The PC2 icebreakers set the benchmark for multi-role performance in the most demanding conditions.
From concept to completion
Our integrated value chain gives us full control from concept to completion: design, engineering, construction, integration, and lifetime support - all connected across our global network of yards in Norway, Romania, Vietnam, and Brazil, and design offices in Canada, the U.S., Poland, and Croatia.
Integrated shipbuilding
Our integrated approach and advanced facilities ensure that every stage in the process, from design to delivery, is continously improved and managed for the best possible result.
Powered by Fincantieri
As part of the Fincantieri Group, VARD is backed by one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, which has played a major role in designing and building icebreakers and ice-classed vessels over the past 25 years.
This global strength allows VARD to combine cutting-edge technology, rigorous engineering standards, and operational know-how with our in-house expertise in design and construction. From advanced hull forms and pod propulsion systems to multi-role capabilities and fuel-flexible solutions, we leverage Fincantieri’s resources and our integrated value chain to deliver tailor-made ice-class vessels built to perform in the harshest environments.
Innovating for tomorrow’s polar operations
Together with our partners, VARD tailor-make vessels and solutions meeting the customer’s needs in Arctic, Baltic, and Antarctic operations.
The result: tailor-made, multi-role vessels that combine research, defense, and emergency capabilities with sustainability at their core.
When it comes to sovereignty, science, and safety in the Arctic and beyond, VARD stands ready to deliver.
We make it possible.
