Sydney Harbour, rounding Bradleys Head. Early morning 17 March 2010.

Construction : 2009 ... Length x Beam (m) : 138x28 ... Depth x Draft (m) 14.5x9.2
Displacement (t) 12,500 ... Crew : 179 ... Scientists : 80

Taking the name of its predecessor, the Shirase is Japan's fourth icebreaker. The new Shirase is slightly larger than its predecessor (AGB 5002) and has top-level ice-breaking capabilities. It can move at 3 knots, breaking up ice 1.5 meters thick.

Its predecessor made one single long voyage each season from Japan via Fremantle to the Japanese Antarctic Bases of Syowa (established 1957), Mizuho (est. 1970) and Asuka (est. 1985). It then returned to Japan via Sydney. This first voyage of 5003 commenced in November 2009.

Owned by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.