Ice challenges Baltic operations

Maritime Journal - 

The Baltic is no stranger to freezing conditions, but recently the ice has expanded into the central part of the sea, and in some regions there’s simply not enough icebreaking capacity.

joined forces with Tarmo and they are both now lending assistance to the ports of Tallinn, Muuga, Kopli, Northern and Southern Paldiski, Kunda and Sillamae.

However, conditions in the Gulf of Riga has lead the Riga Freeport to call on the government for help. The authority is working its icebreaker Varma non-stop according to reports, but despite this, assistance is needed.

The authority says that, in compliance with the law, if it cannot break the ice in public waters the state assumes the function. It adds it hopes that further measures will be put in place in order to avoid similar crisis situations affecting future operations.

Many places are finding they are facing the same reality: Narva, Kunda, Muuga, Tallin and Moonsund bays, plus much of the Gulf of Bothnia is under fast ice. The conditions have seriously disrupted operations at the Port of Pärnu: although Eva-316 and Gastor are on hand to assist with the layer which is between 50-70 cm thick, the real problem is that further out on the fairway ridged ice has piled up which causes problems for safe icebreaking operations.

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