BEIJING, March 20 -- China's icebreaker for Antarctic research, Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, is ready to search the possible area for the missing Malaysian airplane, maritime authorities said Thursday.

The icebreaker, now anchored in Perth, a southwestern port city of Australia, will set off to the waters where suspected debris of the missing flight MH370 has been found, according to the State Oceanic Administration of China.

It is waiting for the order to set off.