This is a list of icebreakers and other special icebreaking vessels (except cargo ships and tankers) capable of operating independently in ice-covered waters. Ships known to be in service are presented in bold.Major icebreakers of the world. USCG Office of Waterways and Ocean Policy.
Argentina (1954–1982; broken up) (1978–2007, 2017–) (1980–1989; sank in Antarctica)
Australia Aurora Australis (1990–2020; sold to a private company and renamed Aurora Dubai) Nuyina (2021–)
Austria Eisvogel (1955–) Röthelstein (1995–)
Azerbaijan Kapitan A. Radzhabov (1992–1999; laid up)
Canada
Canadian Coast Guard
(1876–1890; sold) (1888–1935; broken up) (1899–1915; sold to Russia) (1904–1942; sold to Russia) (1909–1914; sold to Russia) (1916; 1923–1937; ex-J.D. Hazen, ex-Mikula Seleaninovich; broken up) (1929–1967; broken up)Ships of the CCG 1850–1967 . Canadian Coast Guard. (1930–1979; broken up) (1939–1978; museum ship) (1949–1986; sold to a private company and broken up in 1993) (1950–1969; sold to a private company and broken up in 1975) (1952–1983; broken up) (1954–1987; broken up) (1957–1988; broken up) (1959–1989; CCGS William since 1987; sold to a private company and later wrecked in Jamaica) (1959–2001; new bow in 1984; sold to a private company) (1959–1984; museum ship) (1959–1988; broken up) (1959–1988; broken up) (1959–1997; sold to a private company) (1960–1991; broken up) (1965–1994; sold to a private company and broken up in 2014) (1969–1993; sold to Chile) (1969–) (1970–) Pierre Radisson class (1977–) (1979–) (1982–) (1987–) Samuel Risley class (1985–) (1986–) Martha L. Black class (1986–) (1986–) (1986–) (1986–; ex-Edward Cornwallis) (1987–) (1987–) (1991–; first leased and then acquired from a commercial operator) Interim icebreakers (2019–; ex-Vidar Viking) (2022–; ex-Balder Viking) (2023–; ex-Tor Viking) (2023–; ex-Mangystau-2) New icebreakers and icebreaking vessels planned as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy sixteen multi-purpose icebreakers six medium-sized "program icebreakers" two polar icebreakers (2030– (planned); under construction) (2032– (planned); under construction) two modified Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessels (2026– (planned); under construction) (2027– (planned); under construction)
Royal Canadian Navy (1954–1961; transferred to Coast Guard) Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel (2021–) (2022–) (2024–) (2024–) (2025–) (2026– (planned); delivered)
Commercial Canmar Kigoriak (1979–2003; sold to Russia) Robert LeMeur (1982–1997; sold to China) Terry Fox (1983–1991; leased and later sold to the Canadian Coast Guard) Arctic Kalvik (1983–2003; sold to Russia) Ikaluk (1983–1998; Canmar Ikaluk since 1995; sold to Russia) Miscaroo (1983–1998; Canmar Miscaroo since 1995; sold to Russia) Arctic Ivik (1985–1997; sold and later converted to survey vessel Geco Snapper) Polar S (2000–2022; ex-Njord, ex-Polar Star; broken up) Polar Prince (2000–; ex-CCGS Sir Humphrey Gilbert) Arcticaborg (2018–2019; transferred to Russia)
China
State Oceanic Administration
Polar Research Institute of China Xuě Lóng (雪龙; "Snow Dragon") (1993–) Xuě Lóng 2 (雪龙2; "Snow Dragon 2") (2019–)
North Sea Branch Ji Di (极地; "Polar") (2024–)
People's Liberation Army Navy Type 071 icebreaker Haibing 722 (海冰722; "Sea Ice 722") (1971–2013; ex-C722, ex-Haibing 101; in reserve) Haibing 721 (海冰721; "Sea Ice 721") (1973–2013; ex-C721, ex-Haibing 102; transferred to the China Coast Guard) Type 210 icebreaker Haibing 723 (海冰723; "Sea Ice 723") (1982–2012; ex-C723; transferred to the China Marine Surveillance) Type 272 icebreaker Haibing 722 (海冰722; "Sea Ice 722") (2016–) Haibing 723 (海冰723; "Sea Ice 723") (2016–)
China Marine Surveillance Haijian 111 (海监111; "Marine Surveillance 111") (2012–2013; transferred to the China Coast Guard)
China Coast Guard Donghai 519 (东海519; "East China Sea 519") (2013–; ex-Haibing 721, ex-C721, ex-Haibing 102) Haijing 6401 (海警6401; "China Coast Guard 6401") (2012–; ex-Haijing 1411, ex-Haijian 111, ex-Haibing 723)
Sun Yat-sen University Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di (中山大学极地; "Sun Yat-sen University Polar") (2021–; ex-Beijing Ocean Leader, ex-Ikaluk, ex-Smit Sibu, ex-Canmar Ikaluk)
Chinese Academy of Sciences Tan Suo San Hao (探索三号; "Discovery Three") (2024–)
Other Bin Hai 293 (滨海293; "Coastal 293") (1997–2016; ex-Robert LeMeur; broken up)Shipbreaking Bulletin of information and analysis on ship demolition #46, from October 1 to December 31, 2016. Robin Des Bois, 31 January 2017. Beijing Ocean Leader (北京号破冰船) (2018–2021; ex-Ikaluk, ex-Smit Sibu, ex-Canmar Ikaluk; sold to Sun Yat-sen University)
Chile
Chilean Navy Piloto Pardo (1959–1997; sold to a private company)Chilean submarine Simpson calls at Palmer Station. Palmer Station. Almirante Óscar Viel (1995–2019; ex-Norman McLeod Rogers; decommissioned and later sunk as target) Almirante Viel (2024–)
Denmark
Bryderen (1884–1947; sold to Poland; broken up in 1960) Isbjørn (1923–1965)Mens vi venter på isen. Maskinmesteren Februar 2009, page 36. Lillebjørn (1926–1968) Storebjørn (1931–1974; broken up) Elbjørn (1954–1996; used as a restaurant ship until sold for scrap in 2019) Danbjørn (1965–2013; sold for scrap in 2023) Isbjørn (1966–2013; sold for scrap in 2023) Thorbjørn (1980–2015; sold to a private company)Statslig isbryder solgt – bliver i Danmark. Nordjylland, 8 September 2015.
Estonia
Estonian Maritime Museum Suur Tõll (1922–1940; museum ship in Tallinn since 1987)
Estonian Maritime Administration Tarmo (1993–; purchased from Finland) EVA 316 (1995–; ex-Lonna; purchased from Finland and converted for icebreaking)
Port of Tallinn Karu (1988–2002; ex-Karhu, ex-Kapitan Chubakov; purchased from Finland and sold to Russia) Botnica (2012–; purchased from Finland)
Finland
State-owned icebreakers
Steam-powered
Murtaja (1890–1958; broken up) Sampo (1898–1960; broken up) Apu (1899–1959; broken up) Tarmo (1907–1970; museum ship in Kotka since 1992) Wäinämöinen (1918–1922; ex-Volynets; captured from Russia and handed over to Estonia) Ilmarinen (1918–1922; ex-Silatch; captured from Russia and handed over to the Soviet Union) Voima (1924–1945; handed over to the Soviet Union as war reparations) Jääkarhu (1926–1945; handed over to the Soviet Union as war reparations)
Diesel-electric
Sisu (1939–1974; transferred to the Finnish Navy) Voima (1954–) Karhu class Karhu (1958–1986; sold to Estonia) Murtaja (1959–1986; broken up) Sampo (1961–1987; sold to the city of Kemi) Tarmo class Tarmo (1963–1993; sold to Estonia) Varma (1968–1994; sold to Latvia) Apu (1970–2006; sold to Russia) Hanse (1966–1998; sold to Greece; wrecked off Tunisia) Urho class Urho (1975–) Sisu (1976–) Otso class Otso (1986–) Kontio (1987–) Multipurpose icebreakers Fennica (1993–) Nordica (1994–) Botnica (1998–2012; sold to Estonia) Polaris (2016–) A new icebreaker is expected to enter service in 2029.
Finnish Environment Institute Aranda (1953–1989; sold) Aranda (1989–)
Finnish Navy
Louhi (1975–1986; ex-Sisu; broken up) Louhi (2011–)
Alfons Håkans
Zeus of Finland (1995–; ex-Zeus) Thetis (2016–2023; ex-Storm Express, ex-Maersk Shipper, ex-Maersk Placentia, ex-Placentia Bay; sold to Russia)
City of Kemi Sampo (1987–)
City of Helsinki Otso (1936–1970s; sold) Turso (1944–1945; handed over to the Soviet Union as war reparations) Teuvo (1975–1985; sold and later converted to pusher tug)
France
French Navy L'Astrolabe (2017–)La construction de l'Astrolabe a débuté. Mer et Marine, 6 January 2016.
Compagnie du Ponant Le Commandant Charcot (2021–)
Other L'Astrolabe (1988–2017; ex-Austral Fish, ex-Fort Resolution; decommissioned and sold to a private company)
Germany
Historical Elbe (1911–??; museum ship) Hindenburg (1916–1918; sunk by mine) Stettin (1933–1981; museum ship) Wal (1938–1990; museum ship) Castor (1941–1945; sunk by mine but later raised by the Soviet Union) Eisvogel (1942–1945; handed over to the Soviet Union) Eisbär (1942–1946; handed over to the Soviet Union) Pollux (1943–1945; sunk by mine)
Alfred-Wegener-Institut Polarstern (1982–) New icebreaking polar research vessel Polarstern II is expected to enter service in 2030.
Other
Eisvogel (1961–2006; sold) Eisbär (1961–1997; sold) Max Waldeck (1966–2006; broken up; fitted with Thyssen-Waas bow in 1981) Stephan Jantzen (1967–2005; museum ship) Neuwerk (1997–) Arkona (2004–)
Italy Laura Bassi (2019–; ex-RRS Ernest Shackleton; purchases from the United Kingdom)
Japan Tatsunan Kisen Co. Tenryō Maru-class (ice-strengthened cargo/transport) Tenryō Maru (1938-1941; taken by the Army) Minryō Maru (1938-1941; taken by the Army) Chiryō Maru (1938–1940; taken by the Navy as Sōya, now a museum ship)
Imperial Japanese Navy Ōtomari (1921–1945; broken up) Tenryō Maru-class (ice-strengthened cargo/transport) Sōya (1940–1945; transferred to the Japan government and later the coast guards; now a museum ship)
Imperial Japanese Army Tenryō Maru-class (ice-strengthened cargo/transport) Tenryō Maru (1941-1945) Minryō Maru (1941-1945) (1944-1944; landing craft carrier with icebreaker capability)
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Fuji (1965–1985; museum ship) Shirase (1981–2008; sold to a private company) Shirase (2008–)
Japan Coast Guard Sōya (PL107) (1945–1978; museum ship) Sōya (PHL01) (1978–2025) Teshio (PM 15) (1995–) Sōya (PHL01) (2025–)
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology Mirai II (2027– (planned); under construction)
Kazakhstan The following icebreaking supply ships are operating or have operated in the Kazakh Caspian Sea oil fields: Arcticaborg (1998–2018; transferred to Canada) Antarcticaborg (1998–2019; sold to Russia) Tulpar (2002–) Mangystau-class icebreaking tugs Mangystau-1 (2010–2023; transferred to Turkmenian flag) Mangystau-2 (2010–2020; transferred to Turkmenian flag) Mangystau-3 (2011–) Mangystau-4 (2011–) Mangystau-5 (2011–)
Kazakhstani Coast Guard Kazhymukan (2016–)
Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan Ledokol-2 (1984–)
Latvia Krišjānis Valdemārs (1925–1941; sunk) Varma (1994–)Icebreakers: Varma. Freeport of Riga. Foros (2013–2024; ex-Fobos; sold to Russia)
Netherlands
Greenpeace Arctic Sunrise (1995–)
Other Nabil (2022–; completed but not delivered to Russia due to sanctions)
Norway
Norwegian Coast Guard NoCGV Svalbard (2001–)
Norwegian Polar Institute Kronprins Haakon (2018–)
Other Norhope (1970–1973; ex-Göta Lejon; broken up in 1974) Polar Circle (2022–2024; sold to Sweden)
Poland Kuna (1884–; oldest in service river icebreaker in the world) Perkun (1963–1993; broken up)
Russia Icebreakers
The following lists include icebreakers owned and/or operated by either Russian governmental or commercial entities.
Nuclear-powered icebreakers
The following ships are nuclear-powered icebreakers; (1959–1989; museum ship in Murmansk)
(1975–2008; ex-Leonid Brezhnev, ex-Arktika; decommissioned)Russia prepares to dismantle first nuclear icebreaker ever. Bellona, 14 November 2016. (1977–1992; decommissioned) (1985–2013; decommissioned)Russian nuclear icebreaker Rossiya taking last voyage along Norway’s coast. Bellona, 11 April 2013. (1990–2014; decommissioned)Northern Sea Route. Rosatom. "Росатомфлот" начал процесс утилизации атомных ледоколов. Life, 19 December 2016. (1992–) (2007–) Taymyr class (1989–) (1990–) Project 22220 (2020–) (2021–) (2022–) (2025–) (2027– (planned); under construction) (2028– (planned); under construction) (2030– (planned); under construction) Project 10510 (2030– (current estimate); under construction)
Diesel-powered icebreakers
The following ships are/were fitted with diesel engines for powering their propulsion;