On March 19, Japan’s first Arctic research vessel, Mirai II, built by Japan Marine United (JMU), achieved its launching point. The vessel, invested by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), is scheduled to be completed and delivered in the fall of 2026.
The construction of the “Mirai II” began in 2021 at a cost of approximately 34 billion yen (about 228 million US dollars). Construction of the Mirai II began in 2021 at a cost of about 34 billion yen ($228 million). The vessel has an overall length of 128 meters, a width of 23 meters, a draft of 8 meters and a gross tonnage of 13,000 with a capacity of 97 people including 34 crew members and 63 researchers.
The vessel is of Polar Class 4, which can penetrate ice up to 1.2 meters thick, has a speed of 3.0 knots and is capable of navigating year-round in waters with a mixture of annual and perennial ice.
The vessel is equipped with liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel engines to reduce environmental impact and improve fuel efficiency; and advanced systems to support safe and efficient navigation in sea ice areas.
The Arctic research vessel Mirai II is said to be the culmination of JAMSTEC’s efforts to study and find solutions to the problems and environmental changes occurring in the Arctic region. Japan’s first research icebreaker will be deployed as an international research platform focusing on meteorology, climate and atmospheric chemistry, as well as changes in ocean, atmospheric and sea ice conditions.