The Baltic ice

At the beginning of February 2024, stormy weather is predicted in the Baltic Sea, and in the area of the ports of St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga there is a difficult ice situation, delays in flights and cargo operations are possible.

Every winter, the Baltic Sea partially freezes, the thickness of the ice in the bays often reaches 1 meter. The period of icebreaker support for vessels in ports during this navigation started in December.

Icebreaker support of vessels in the water areas of seaports in the Gulf of Finland is carried out from the ice edge to anchorages or berthing sites, as well as in the opposite direction. For this purpose, 12 Rosmorport’s icebreakers were involved.

Railway ferries operating on the Ust-Luga-Baltiysk line, operated by Oboronlogistics, have a high ice class, which allows them to navigate independently without icebreaker assistance.

Three dry cargo ships of Oboronlogistics: Sparta, Sparta II and Pizhma, operating on the St. Petersburg-Kaliningrad container line, also have an ice class, but in the water area of the Big Port of St. Petersburg they are accompanied by icebreakers.

In order to ensure the safety of navigation, the crews of Oboronlogistics vessels, under the guidance of experienced captains, follow all the appropriate instructions, maintain the proper operation of the vessels, and comply with the rules of safe operation during the winter navigation period.