A closing ceremony of the ice navigation season took place in the port of Riga on the deck of the icebreaker VARMA. In the framework of the festive event a sincere gratitude was expressed to the crews of the icebreaker VARMA and the vessel LAURA, as well as to the staff of the Harbour Master Service of the Freeport of Riga Authority and onshore employees of “LVR Flote” for their excellent work in the difficult winter conditions. The ice navigation season this year lasted 6 weeks, and icebreaker support was provided to 148 ships. By ensuring the continuity of the Riga Port operation, 100 million euros have been saved for the country’s economy.

This year’s ice navigation season in the Baltic Sea region was particularly challenging. The Gulf of Riga froze very rapidly, and the ice conditions were further aggravated by strong winds, which created drifting ice ridges up to 4 meters high. Previously, such severe weather conditions in the Baltic Sea were recorded 15 years ago – in the winter of 2011.

All ports of the Baltic Sea countries faced difficult ice conditions this winter – a total of 32 icebreakers worked in the Baltic Sea during this ice navigation season, of which 4 in the Gulf of Riga. This implies that all countries in the region take the maintenance of their export/import flows and port security very seriously.

“The non-stop operation of icebreakers in the harsh winter conditions has been a significant contribution to the Latvian economy – it has helped to maintain the flow of exports and imports worth around 100 million euros. Furthermore, it is a vital component of our energy security, ensuring stable supplies from reliable partners. In such conditions, the professionalism and ability of people to act in crisis situations stand out, as was vividly demonstrated by the successful rescue operation at sea,” said the Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis, who presented letters of appreciation to the “LVR Flote” team for their professionalism and dedicated work coping with harsh winter conditions, as well as for their contribution to the successful conduct of the “Two on Ice” rescue operation.

The Freeport of Riga Authority is responsible for winter navigation in ice conditions in the Gulf of Riga on the shipping route from the Irbe Strait to the Port of Riga. The purpose of this strategic administrative function is to ensure the port’s uninterrupted operation and a safe passage of vessels to the Port of Riga. This year’s ice navigation season cost the Freeport of Riga Authority 900,000 EUR, covered by the Authority’s budget.

“Thanks to the professional approach, close cooperation and prompt decision-making of all the parties involved, the smooth operation of the Port of Riga was ensured throughout the ice navigation season. This made it possible to maintain a continuous flow of cargo to/from the Port of Riga, without causing losses to the port and the Latvian economy. Ensuring safe and uninterrupted navigation 365 days a year is also a matter of the port’s international reputation and reliability. This season we proved that shippers and ship owners can feel safe – the Port of Riga operates reliably 24/7 in any weather conditions,” emphasized Ansis Zeltiņš, the Freeport of Riga CEO.

Ice breaking in the Gulf of Riga this season was ensured by the icebreaker VARMA of the Freeport of Riga Authority’s capital company “LVR Flote”, while in the port water area the icebreaking was carried out by the “LVR Flote’s” multifunctional ice-class vessel LAURA, which was newly purchased last year.

The acquisition of the multi-purpose ice-class vessel LAURA, funded by the EU Military Mobility Fund, was a far-sighted and strategically sound decision implemented by the “LVR Flote”. The vessel was added to the company’s fleet exactly one year ago – in March of last year. During this year’s winter season, it successfully carried out icebreaking operations in the port’s waters and provided support to the icebreaker VARMA.

“This ice season was a serious challenge, which we dealt with thanks to our team’s high level of professionalism and creative approach to resolving complex situations. The teams of our ships VARMA and LAURA did an excellent job, but I would like to express my appreciation to the entire team of our “LVR Flote” for their performance this winter – both at sea, in the port and on the shore, taking care of buoys, roads, railway infrastructure, and communication systems throughout the port area. Likewise, the team at our office provided all the necessary support to ensure that winter operation ran smoothly,” said Kaspars Ozoliņš, LVR Flote Board member.

“I am very proud of the performance of our icebreaker VARMA crew. Although the ice has melted, work on the icebreaker goes on. It is precisely this daily work that ensures the icebreaker’s long and reliable service. However, the shipping industry is evolving, and we must continue to look toward fleet modernization in the future,” he added.

Looking back at the past ice navigation season, the challenges it presented, conclusions, as well as possible solutions for strengthening and modernizing the fleet were discussed. Safety and continuity of navigation in the Gulf of Riga and along the coast are also essential for Latvia’s overall security and military mobility. In the future, it is necessary to think about strengthening centralized port resources and capacity and modernizing ice navigation aids, as this winter demonstrate that ice conditions affected not only the Gulf of Riga but also ports along Latvia’s western coast.