Abstract: A watercraft has a hull with a first end and a second end and is equipped at its second end with a propulsion arrangement that includes at least three propulsion devices each provided with a propeller. A majority of the propulsion devices are rudder propeller devices, and the propeller of at least one of the propulsion devices is at a first distance from the second end of the hull and the propeller of at least another one of the propulsion devices is at a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the second end of the hull. In ice conditions the watercraft is operated with the second end ahead, so that at least one propeller at the first distance from the second end of the hull breaks ice and at least one propeller at the second distance from the second end of the hull moves disintegrated ice or ice chunks away from the ice build-up.

Abstract: A method of providing a watercraft, especially an icebreaker or a cargo ship, tanker or similar transport vessel, with improved ice penetration characteristics and a watercraft manufactured according to the method, which watercraft has a hull (1) with a first end (2) and a second end (3) and which is equipped at said second end with a propulsion arrangement, which provides the main propulsive thrust of the watercraft, while the watercraft moves with either end ahead, and the steering of the watercraft, whereby said second end (3) of the watercraft is shaped and designed so that it, as such, has efficient ice penetration characteristics.