Icebreaking began this year on January 7, when the first additional requirements were imposed on vessels entering and leaving the Port of Pärnu. At the end of January, additional requirements were also introduced for vessels visiting ports in the Gulf of Finland. In total, icebreaking in Estonia was conducted by three vessels – the State Fleet’s ships Tarmo and EVA-316, and the vessel Botnica, chartered from TS Shipping.
“In total, icebreaking operations in the Gulf of Riga lasted 98 days, and in the Gulf of Finland slightly more than two months, or 65 days. During this time, 173 vessels required assistance from icebreakers – 115 in the Gulf of Riga and 58 in the Gulf of Finland,” explained Are Piel, Icebreaking Coordinator at the Transport Administration.
Piel pointed out that the icebreaking season was difficult, especially in the Gulf of Riga, which was frozen throughout its entire extent from Pärnu to the Irbe Strait.
“Ships became stuck in the ice already upon entering the Irbe Strait. In places, the ice thickness in Pärnu Bay reached 55 cm, and pressure ridges formed piles rising up to 1.5 meters above the water surface and extending a further 2 meters below. Such conditions required the regular formation and management of ship convoys, which in turn kept the volume and intensity of icebreaking operations high throughout the entire period,” Piel added, noting that constantly changing ice conditions required continuous replanning of activities.
Andres Laasma, Director General of the State Fleet, added that icebreaking will remain an essential capability for Estonia in the future.
“Harsh winters do bring additional costs to the state, and icebreaking is inherently an expensive activity. However, it must be taken into account that the sea is a strategic connection to the world for Estonia. 55% of our cargo transport moves by sea, and the state must be prepared to respond to challenging ice conditions,” Laasma explained, referring both to budgetary preparedness and the availability of necessary icebreakers, support fleet, and competent crews.
This year’s icebreaking season highlighted notable and effective cooperation between the icebreakers Tarmo, Botnica, and EVA-316, including the successful management of large ship convoys in the Gulf of Riga. In difficult ice conditions, the simultaneous use of two icebreakers in the Gulf of Riga proved necessary to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Port of Pärnu.
