Innovations and challenges in marine steels for polar icebreaker manufacturing – a comprehensive review

This review paper thoroughly investigates the challenges associated with constructing polar icebreakers, given the increasing feasibility of Arctic navigation attributed to global warming. The strategic significance of the Northern Sea Route in global trade, potentially reducing the Asia-Europe transit distance by about one-third, underscores the growing importance of polar-class vessels in Arctic navigation. Our research emphasizes the importance of selecting suitable steel grades considering strength, toughness, and weldability. The paper investigates the influence of ductile-brittle transition temperature on ship failures and evaluates different marine steels' tensile properties and fatigue behavior. Additionally, it reviews welding techniques and explores advanced methods, including wire arc additive manufacturing, to improve precision and efficiency in shipbuilding.