9 vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on December 16-17, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration.
From the beginning of winter navigation season, icebreakers escorted 45 vessels including 39 vessels in Big Port St. Petersburg and 6 vessels in Vyborg and Vysotsk.
According to Ice Operations Headquarters, 3 icebreakers are in operation with two more ships in reserve. Technical availability of 8 icebreakers is being recovered.
Formation of new ice is underway in the Neva Bay and at the top the Gulf of Vyborg (5-10 cm thick).