The Balder Viking is a type of vessel classified as "Anchor Handling, Tug & Supply". However, while the equipment above deck is designed for offshore support use, the hull and engines are adapted for icebreaking.

The Balder Viking and its two sister ships, Vidar Viking and Tor Viking are equipped for various types of offshore assignments, including anchor handling,the moving of drilling rigs, and the ability to deliver cargoes of various types to drilling platforms. The ships can carry everything from cement, saline solutions for drilling, sludge, oil and fresh water. The engines have a traction force of more than 200 tons and the winches can handle 500 tons, The hull is optimized for icebreaking, but at the same time offers good seagoing properties. The hull lines under water are critical in determining these properties since the side propellers do not function when the ship is under way in ice. Maneuverability is also strengthened with the aid of large rudders and an extra large flywheel on the four main engines. The maximum icebreaking capacity is approximately 1.2 meters of level ice, and the ships move at a speed of 10.5 knots in 0.7 meters of ice.

Environmentally, the ships are equipped with catalysts and double hulls between all tanks that contain oil, something that is especially important in connection with icebreaking. The ships were built at Kvaerner Leirvik AS, in 2000 and 2001, and are 83.7 meters long and 18 meters wide.