3 vessels were escorted by icebreakers in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland during 24 hours on December 17-18, says Ice Operations Headquarters of the Baltic Sea Ports Administration.
From the beginning of winter navigation season, icebreakers escorted 48 vessels including 39 vessels in Big Port St. Petersburg and 9 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). The canal is free. Between the port of Vyborg and the turning buoy of Vysotsk port: light ice of 5-10 cm thick. The canal is free. Between the turning buoy of Vysotsk port and Vysotsk Gate (including water area of Vysotsk port) – new ice with ice free water from the entrance buoy.
Icebreaker assistance services are offered at the port of Vyborg from 16 December 2018.