Icebreaker Voima towards to Bothnian Bay
The icebreaker Voima set off from Katajanokka, Helsinki, as Arctia’s first icebreaker for this winter, heading to the Bothnian Bay to assist merchant ship traffic in the Tornio, Kemi and Oulu areas.
Winter navigation secured through cooperation
As a provider of icebreaking services, Arctia ensures winter navigation, which is important for Finnish industry and security of supply, with its eight icebreakers. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is responsible for the authority and client tasks of assisting winter navigation, as well as for national coordination, development and guidance.
Icebreakers operate along Finland’s coastal areas, ensuring the smooth flow of winter maritime transport that is essential to the industry and security of supply, as approximately 96% of Finland’s exports and imports are transported by sea.
Crew ready for a new season
“Departure for icebreaking has already been eagerly anticipated this winter, and the crew of Voima is excited to begin a new season assisting the safe and smooth operation of merchant vessels to Finnish ports,” says Simo Haaslahti, Master of the icebreaker Voima.
The icebreaker has a crew of 20 members, and the ship operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The working cycle of the crew is 20 days, followed by ten days off.
Winter arrived slowly
Winter has been mild so far, and this year, the season for Arctia's icebreakers starts a bit later than usual. Last season, the icebreaker Kontio headed for the Bothnian Bay on December 19, and five icebreakers operated in the Bothnian Bay to ensure smooth winter navigation. No icebreaking assistance was needed in the Gulf of Finland last winter.
During the previous season, Arctia’s icebreakers operated for a total of 479 days. Merchant vessels were assisted 1,076 times, and 150 towing operations were carried out. The icebreakers covered a total of 32,946 nautical miles. The average waiting time for vessels awaiting access to ports was 4.8 hours, and 91.5% of vessels reached their destination without delays.
Further information: Paavo Kojonen, SVP, Icebreaking, +358 50 458 4391, paavo.kojonen@arctia.fi