BEIJING — China is looking to build a massive nuclear-powered vessel described as an 'experimental platform', which some speculate could be a nuclear icebreaker.<br /><br />According to the South China Morning Post, the China General Nuclear Power Group is looking to build a nuclear powered ship measuring 498 feet long and 98 feet wide, with a displacement of 33,069 tons.<br /><br />The vessel could be fitted with two 25 megawatt compact pressurized water reactors to propel it to a maximum speed of 11.5 knots.<br /><br />China has not specified what the ship will be used for, referring to it only as an 'experimental ship platform.'<br /><br />The vessel's size has been described by Hong Kong-based military commentator Song Zhongping as similar to that of Russian nuclear icebreakers.<br /><br />Russia is the only country that operates nuclear-powered icebreakers, which is used to plow through thick ice-covered waters to maintain and develop the Northern Sea route.<br /><br />China already has a conventionally powered polar icebreaker, which was launched last year to boost its polar research and expedition capacity.<br /><br />But having a nuclear icebreaker is important for expanding its presence in the Arctic Ocean.<br /><br />Song told the South China Morning Post that if experiments using icebreakers go well, the technology could be used to develop next-generation aircraft carriers.
