Icebreaker Almirante Viel: A Chilean Pride

Chile Travel and News | By Raul Silva M. | Jan. 2025

Image: TVN

Built entirely at the ASMAR shipyards (Shipyards and Workshops of the Navy) in Talcahuano, the Almirante Viel stands as a milestone in Chile's shipbuilding history, serving as a true testament to the ingenuity and capability of the Chilean naval industry.

It is worth noting that the "Almirante Viel" is the first Antarctic scientific vessel built in Chile and South America. The ability to construct an icebreaker of this magnitude and complexity within national territory not only showcases the technical expertise of Chilean engineers and workers but also propels the country's naval industry toward new horizons.

The icebreaker was built over approximately six years, from August 2018 to July 2024. It was launched on December 22, 2022, with marine biologist and Doctor of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pamela Santibanez, serving as the ship's sponsor. The final phase of construction and testing took place in late 2024. Finally, it arrived at its home port in Punta Arenas on January 5, 2025.

Scientific and Strategic Importance

The Almirante Viel is not just a marvel of engineering; it will also play a crucial role in Chile's scientific research and geopolitical strategy.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, this icebreaker will enable Chilean and foreign scientists to conduct research in Antarctica, a key continent for studying climate change and biodiversity. The icebreaker Almirante Viel meets the highest international environmental care standards and regulations. Furthermore, its presence will strengthen Chile's sovereignty claim over a portion of Antarctica, reaffirming the country's position in the region. 

Impact on Chilean Shipbuilding

The construction of the Almirante Viel has had a significant impact on Chile's shipbuilding industry. It has not only created jobs and driven technological development but also positioned Chile as a leader in building specialized vessels in Latin America.

This project has proven that the country has the capability to take on and complete large-scale endeavors, paving the way for future opportunities in the naval and maritime sectors.

In fact, in recent years, shipbuilding in Chile has seen significant expansion, and it is expected to continue growing and modernizing in the future, driven by the recent Politica Nacional Continua de Construccion Naval (National Continuous Shipbuilding Policy) signed by President Gabriel Boric on January 10, 2025. This initiative aims to strengthen the Chilean Navy's ability to locally build all the surface units required, thereby promoting national sovereignty and industrial development in the country.

A Promising Future

Image: Gobierno de Chile
President Boric and senior naval
officers on the bridge of the Almirante Viel

The Icebreaker Almirante Viel is more than just a ship; it is a symbol of Chile's capability and potential. Its construction and operation will not only benefit the scientific community and strengthen national sovereignty but also inspire future generations of Chilean engineers and scientists. With the Almirante Viel, Chile is not only navigating toward the future but also building it.

  

Technical Data

• Name: AGB-46 "Almirante Viel"

• Year of Construction: 2024

• Displacement: 10,500 tons

• Machinery Power: 6,000 HP per shaft

• Maximum Speed: 15 knots

• Length: 111 meters

• Beam: 21 meters

• Depth: 35 meters

• Draft: 7.2 meters

• Transport Capacity: 86 crew members, 34 scientists, 19 20-foot containers, 400 m³ of fuel storage space, 300 aviation fuel drums, 400 m³ of palletized cargo space.

• Scientific Equipment: High and medium-depth multi-beam echo sounder, omnidirectional search sonar, oceanographic winches, macro and microbiology and chemical laboratories, along with equipment for sample collection and storage.

• Autonomy: 60 days

• Range: 14,000 nautical miles  

• Icebreaking Capability: Can break a layer of ice 1 meter thick, covered with up to 20 centimeters of snow.

In summary, the Almirante Viel is equipped with advanced technology that supports various scientific research endeavors, particularly in the Antarctic context.