A Chinese icebreaker trying to reach a Russian ship trapped in Antarctica has been halted by thick ice within sight of the stricken vessel and an Australian ship is now trying to help.

The Snow Dragon was one of three icebreakers sent to free the MV Akademik Shokalskiy, which became stranded on Tuesday in ice driven by strong winds. The trapped ship left New Zealand on November 28 on an expedition commemorating the centenary of a journey led by famed Australian explorer Douglas Mawson.