The Port of Riga has confirmed that it remains fully operational and safe for navigation, with no traffic restrictions currently in effect despite the onset of the ice navigation season.
To ensure safety within the harbor, seven tugboats from two different operators are currently active. Three of these are ice class vessels, allowing clients to select providers based on specific safety and reliability needs.
Additionally, the multifunctional ice-class vessel LAURA, acquired last year by LVR Flote, is actively providing icebreaking services within the port’s water area.
The Freeport of Riga Authority is prioritizing the uninterrupted flow of cargo from the port out to the Irbe Strait. Last week, the Harbor Master ordered the deployment of the icebreaker VARMA to spearhead operations in the Gulf of Riga.
The VARMA is currently managing transit routes, clearing paths for merchant vessels through shifting ice conditions. Sea ice in the bay currently averages 15–35 cm in thickness, though wind-driven pressure is causing significant ridging in some areas.
The VARMA is well-equipped for these conditions:
- Power: A diesel-electric propulsion system with four main engines delivering 10,164 kW (approx. 13,819 horsepower).
- Design: The 84.1-meter ship features a reinforced steel hull and four propellers designed to fracture ice fields by driving the vessel’s mass onto them.