Construction tender breaks ice on new vessel

China's new icebreaker for polar expeditions, expected to be delivered by 2014, took the first step in its design on Tuesday with tenders for the vessel's construction under preparation, according to the top ocean watchdog.

The design contract was signed on Tuesday among the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, the Polar Research Institute of China and Finland-based Aker Arctic Technology, which will participate in the design of the icebreaker.

According to a statement released by the Finnish company, the contract exceeds $613 million and the design work will last about seven months.