The photo shows the design of China's first self-made icebreaker. [Photo: State Oceanic Administration]

China's first independently-developed icebreaker for polar scientific expeditions is now under construction at the Jiangnan Shipyard Co. Ltd.

Once finished, the new icebreaker will be able to continuously break ice as thick as 1.5 meters, while sailing at a speed of two to three knots.

Compared to icebreaker Xuelong, which is currently in service, the new vessel can break ice both at the head and tail, in addition to turning around without traveling, said Wu Gang, a designer of the new icebreaker.

In addition, the new vessel will be more cold-resistant and environmentally friendly than the Xuelong, added Wu. The boat will use lighter facilities, pollution-free paint and a full electrical propulsion system, which can cut its emission to the minimum.

Since the 1980s, China has launched 33 Antarctic expeditions and seven Arctic expeditions, in addition to establishing five stations at the two polars.

Xu Ning with China's State Oceanic Administration explained that the Xuelong cannot meet the increasing need for polar researches at present, making the new vessel much needed.

The new icebreaker will be loaded with advanced ocean environment and physical geography probe equipment for scientific researches.

The new vessel is scheduled to be completed in 2019 and start polar expeditions and supply transport missions together with the Xuelong.