Three vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on January 16-17, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration. Two icebreakers are involved in the operations.
Since the beginning of this winter navigation season icebreakers have assisted nine vessels.
Ice formation has begun in the Neva Bay and in the upper part of the Vyborg Bay. Floating ice of up to 15 cm thick is observed at the port of Primorsk, near buoys 3-4 and 9-10. Compression of floating ice caused by south-east wind hinders navigation of low-power vessels.
Port Primorsk announced the beginning of Icebreaker assistance period in the water area of port Primorsk started on 17 January 2018, from 12:00 (Moscow time).
Navigation of ATB units is to be banned at the Big Port St. Petersburg and at the Passenger Port of Saint-Petersburg from 19 January 2018.
At the port of Vyborg and at the approaches to it, the ban for navigation of ATB units is to come into effect on 24 January 2018. Navigation of non-ice class ships will be only allowed with the assistance of icebreakers.
At the port of Primorsk and at the approaches to it, navigation of ATB units navigation and non-ice class ships will be banned from 26 January 2018. Ice1 class ships will be only allowed to sail in ice waters with the assistance of icebreakers, ships of Ice 2 class and higher ice classes will be allowed to sail independently upon obtaining icebreaker’s permit and recommendations, or assistance.
Ice navigation restrictions at port Vysotsk and at the approaches to it will come into effect from January 29: navigation of ATB units in ice waters will not be allowed, non-ice class ships and ice-class ships will be will be only allowed to sail in ice waters with the assistance of icebreakers. Ships of Ice1 class and higher ice classes will be allowed to sail with the assistance of icebreakers or independently upon obtaining icebreaker’s permit and recommendations.