In the near future, the number of ice-going and icebreaking vessels is expected to increase. This is linked to expected utilization of the northern sea route as an international trade route between the North Atlantic and the North Pacific region. Since many ice-going vessels are expected to be developed, increased demand for physical model testing in ice to assist vessel designers is anticipated. Various types of ice model tests will be required in order to improve the ice-going performance of these new vessels. Estimation of ship resistance in icecovered waters has been an interesting and challenging topic for ship designers. Ice resistance is dependent primarily on ice thickness and flexural strength, and the ship's operating speed. Ice resistance determines the engine power and drives the propulsion system design. This is a crucial and expensive component of an icebreaking vessel. With the support of the Korean Government, the research community and the ship building industries, MOERI decided some years ago to build the next generation ice model basin at Daejeon. The MOERI ice model basin was completed in September 2009. Since then, MOERI's ice tank has produced more than 23 ice sheets and a series of ice model test for a Korean icebreaking research vessel was conducted. In order to check the reliability and accuracy of the ice test as a whole, some comparative studies were made. The test results are compared with those conducted in Helsinki university ice model basin in 2004–2005.
MOERI's ice model basin are equipped with square type basin, trimming tank, ice melting tank, thermal barrier, X-Y main carriage, service carriage and refrigeration system etc. The size of main basin is 42m long, 32m wide, 2.5m deep and various kinds of ice performance tests and full turning circle tests can be conducted.
