Russia and Finland to cooperate in icebreaker assistance during 2017-2018 winter navigation season (photo)
Russia and Finland confirm their readiness to implement the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Finland on Cooperation and Interaction in Icebreaker Assistance in the Baltic Sea, IAA PortNews correspondent cites Vitaly Klyuyev, Director of RF Transport Ministry's Department of State Policy for Maritime and River Transport, as saying at the 38th meeting of Russian-Finnish Mixed Commission on Maritime Shipping held in Saint-Petersburg.
“As of today, there are no problems with the Agreement implementation, both parties are ready to provide icebreaker assistance if necessary”, he stated.
FSUE Rosmorport has already signed commercial agreements with the Finnish Transport Agency and Arctia Ltd. (operator of icebreakers in Finland). Besides, the parties have held meetings in the format of staff exercise for detailed elaboration of the cooperation procedures.
According to Andrey Balashov, Deputy Director of Rosmorport’s North-Western Basin Branch for Safe Navigation, daily rates for icebreaker services are to be confirmed.
Markus Karjalainen, head of Finland’s Transport Services Department, referred to the work performed by the Russian side as effective and said that the agreement between Rosmorport and Finnish Transport Agency would be extended for a year.
Yury Pankrashkin, Deputy Head of Rosmorrechflot’s Department for Safe Navigation, added that the layout of icebreakers involved for this winter navigation season covers 13 Russian icebreakers deployed in the Baltic Sea and one icebreaker in reserve. Two more icebreakers can be deployed under a special decision. Besides, Rosmorport has signed agreements on deployment of ice-class tugboats.
“We are ready for cooperation whether the winter season is difficult or not”, summarized Vitaly Klyuyev.
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Unified scheme approved for involving Russian and Finnish icebreakers under agreement on interaction in icebreaker assistance in the Baltic Sea (photo) >>>>
