China’s first domestically developed high-power podded propulsor for polar icebreaking vessels rolled off the production line in Shanghai on Tuesday. It will advance the country’s efforts to replace imported propulsion equipment in this specialized sector.

Powermaster Marine developed the 10-megawatt system, which completed full-scale testing in China before its planned shipment to a European shipyard.

Its all-electric design and 360-degree rotation enable icebreaking in both forward and reverse directions, according to reports from China Central Television (CCTV) and Shanghai Observer.

Podded propulsors for polar vessels face repeated ice impacts and extremely low temperatures. These conditions demand high structural strength, stable power output, and long-term reliability.

The new system underwent full-scale testing on a domestic 40-megawatt full-load test platform to assess its performance under extreme conditions. It marked the first full-scale test of this kind in China.

According to Shanghai Observer, the testing program included 18 checks, with trials conducted at 150 percent overload and 120 percent overspeed.

Powermaster Marine chairman and general manager Zhou Hao said the propulsor can operate at 160 percent of its rated torque under icebreaking conditions. He also said it can break through ice up to 2.1 meters thick (nearly 7 feet), including 20 cm of snow cover.

The system’s rotating design lets it break ice in either direction. These capabilities are supported by the equipment’s all-electric propulsion system.

The propulsor is expected to arrive at a European shipyard in late November, Shanghai Observer reported. Installation on a vessel is planned for February 2027, followed by shipboard testing in June.

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