Icebreaking service season at Big Port St. Petersburg end as of May 1st
Icebreaking services provided at Big Port St. Petersburg and its access channels during the 2012-2013 winter shipping season will end on the early morning of May 1, 2013, Big Port St. Petersburg Harbourmaster Peter Parinov said in a statement.
The harbourmaster’s decree (No 15-kp, Apr. 26, 2013) also dismisses the Icebreaking Operations Basin Commission.
However, the masters of ships sailing to / from the port have been advised to take precautions while steering vessels, especially at night, due to ice floes still floating in the area.
Big Port St. Petersburg Harbour Master on December 4, 2012 released a list of restrictions on sailing of ships in the area. The order imposed mandatory icebreaking services for vessels without ice class hulls.
Later, on Dec. 24 the Port Authority introduced restrictions on ice-class of vessels sailing to / from the port, namely the ATBs as well as ships without ice class hulls, which were to be escorted by icebreakers. From the date the vessels having any ice-class were permitted to sail independently using the ice conditions map provided by the regional Icebreaking Operations Centre or could request the icebreaker assistance.
As of March 5, 2013 the Port Authority had eased restrictions in Big Port St. Petersburg and the Passenger Port of St. Petersburg, namely on sailings in the harbour of vessels with Ice1 hulls and above. This class ships can operate more freely or request for icebreaking assistance. The Articulated Tug / Barge units are still banned from entering the harbour. Ships with no ice class are permitted to sail led by icebreakers.
