In this study, design parameters of ice-transiting vessels in the world, currently in service or under construction, were collected and a database of principal particulars for each ship was established. To understand the recent design trend, ice-transiting vessels were categorized into four groups, i.e., conventional icebreakers, icebreaking tug^plyresearch vessels, ice-strengthened passenger/car ferry and ice-strengthened cargo vessels. Changes in principal particulars for each group were reviewed and summarized. It was found that the most significant change in the design of ice-transiting vessels was the increment of large size commercial cargo vessels. It is believed that the recent hike of oil prices and booming of Russian economy has resulted in the need for year-round operation with bigger ships in the Baltic Sea and in the Sea of Okhotsk and also along the Northern Sea Route in Russian Arctic Sea.