The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation has taken measures to support the operation of the ports of the Gulf of Finland in the conditions of freezing water area. This was announced by Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin.
Today, the situation in the Gulf of Finland is quite working, but there are risks of worsening weather conditions. Understanding that this could happen, we took appropriate measures in advance.
Currently, navigation in the region is provided by 12 diesel-electric icebreakers of Rosmorport and the new icebreaker "Murmansk" of Project 21900M. The powerful nuclear icebreaker "Sibir" of Project 22220 arrived in St. Petersburg on February 18. The latter is used for piloting large-capacity vessels (oil tankers-one hundred thousand tons).
Compared to diesel-electric icebreakers, it paves a wider shipping channel. During the time that "Sibir" has been in the waters of the Gulf of Finland, it has already provided six pilotings of large-capacity vessels.
The Gulf of Finland is 80% covered with ice for the first time in 10 years. The thickness of the ice cover is from 10 to 40 cm. The use of additional icebreakers is important to prevent delays and ensure the safety of navigation in difficult winter conditions.
