Daily icebreaking service covered 26 vessels in the Gulf of Finland
Over the past 24 hours, 8 icebreakers of FSUE Rosmorport and one nuclear icebreaker Rossija (operates in the Gulf of Finland under the contract between Rosmorport and Atomflot) provided icebreaking assistance for 26 vessels in the Gulf of Finland, PortNews IAA learnt from the press service of Rosmorport. From the very beginning of the winter navigation, icebreaking service was provided to 3085 vessels.
The following vessels are currently engaged in icebreaking: Semen Dezhnev, Yuri Lisyanski, Mudyug, Moskva, Karu, Sankt-Peterburg, Tor, Captain Nikolayev and Rossija.
We remind that ice restrictions were introduced in Big Port St. Petersburg from December 4, 2012 according to the Harbor Master’s order permitting navigation of non-reinforced vessels only with the assistance of icebreakers. From December 24, tug-and-tow trains or non-reinforced vessels are allowed to carry out ice navigation only with the assistance of icebreakers, while ice class vessels are permitted to carry out non-escorted voyages upon icebreaker’s permission and recommendation or with icebreaker’s assistance.
Ice restrictions were eased in Big Port St. Petersburg and Passenger Port of St. Petersburg from March 5, 2013. Vessels with Ice I class and over are allowed to carry out non-escorted voyages within the water area of Big Port St. Petersburg upon icebreaker’s permission and recommendation or with icebreaker’s assistance.
Ice navigation of non-reinforced vessels is allowed only with icebreaking assistance, while tug-and-tow trains are banned from ice navigation.
15 icebreakers are deployed for operation in Russian part of the Gulf of Finland in winter navigation of 2012-2013, including 14 diesel-electric icebreakers of Rosmorport FSUE and one nuclear icebreaker of Atomflot FSUE.
