According to Arkhangelsk Harbormaster’s order some restrictions are imposed on vessels calling at the port of Arkhangelsk effective from January 5th, 2011. The restrictions are due to forecasted ice condition (expected thickness of the ice - 55 cm). The vessels to be escorted by icebreakers should have Ice class not below Ice2 (LZ/LU2) of Russian Maritime Register of Shipping or a similar class of another classification society.
Arkhangelsk, a year-round navigable seaport, is located in the delta of the Northern Dvina River. The port is a gate for the Northern Sea Route traffic passing through Arkhangelsk terminals. The port’s capacities allow handling 4.5 million tons of cargo a year, primarily cellulose, cardboard, containers, timber, metals, fertilizers, heavy-lift equipment and bulked cargoes.