The Azov Sea Ice Operations Headquarters was caught off guard by severe winter and turned out to be unprepared for ice-breaking operations in the Sea of Azov this year, a Romorrechflot official said in Moscow.
The head of the Federal Agency of Maritime and River Transport Alexander Davydenko said speaking at the general meeting of the Association of Shipping Companies (ASC) that shipowners were also not prepared to ensure safe navigation in ice-bound conditions. According to Mr. Davydenko, the decision to base the headquarters in the port of Taganrog was a mistake.
"The Ice Ops HQ should be created in Rostov-on-Don," PortNews correspondent quoted Alexander Davydenko as saying.