The Finnish harbours freeze over every winter and depending on the extent of the ice cover and the challenges posed by the ice winter, vessels moving among the ice are assisted approximately 300-3,000 times per winter. Typically, the icebreaking season begins before the turn of the year and the peak season takes place in February.
This winter, operations will be guided by a new icebreaking service agreement that Arctia has concluded with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and Arctia Ltd have made a three-year agreement on icebreaking for the coming winters.
Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is responsible for the governmental and commissioning tasks related to winter navigation assistance, as well as national coordination, development, and oversight, while Arctia provides the service with its eight icebreakers.
“In accordance with the agreements, we have eight Arctia icebreakers at our disposal, and they can be deployed as necessary as the winter progresses and the ice cover grows,” says Helena Orädd, head of the maritime unit at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. “Our service promise is that 90% of the vessels can enter the harbour without waiting and those waiting will receive icebreaker assistance in less than 4 hours. In addition to the fairways leading to harbours, we also assist in the open sea. In accordance with the treaty with Sweden, we also assist ships to Swedish ports.”
“Customers have been satisfied with icebreaking services, but there is also room for improvement. The importance of cooperation and sharing information is emphasised when there are several actors and customers. The new agreement will enable a more flexible departure order for icebreakers, and this will also create efficiency for the entire service package,” adds Orädd.
In accordance with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, winter navigation assistance is free of charge for merchant vessels and is granted to vessels heading to predefined winter ports.
The vessels to be assisted must meet the assistance restrictions specified by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, regarding the ice class and load-bearing capacity, for example.
