Navigation challenges for large-size ships in ice conditions

At present, there is a tendency to use the large-size active ice-going ships for oil and gas transportation from the fields located in the Far North and Far East as well as from the shelf of freezing seas. Intentions for use of large-size tankers and gas carriers as a part of arctic transportation systems are mostly based on the results of cost-effectiveness calculations. However, these calculations usually do not take into account actual conditions of ship navigation in ice. In this paper, we review some main challenges related to large-size ships manoeuverability and performance in ice as well as interaction of above ships with icebreakers. In the final section of this paper, the author gives the conclusions based on the brief review of the problems arising during navigation of large-size ships in ice.