4 icebreakers operate at Primorsk port

The Captain Dranitsyn joined today, March 11, the fleet of icebreakers providing assistance to oil tankers at the port of Primorsk (Leningrad region, the Gulf of Finland), first deputy to harbormaster of Big Port St. Petersburg port Mikhail Kharyuzov said in an interview with PortNews.


The Vaigach has been deployed in Primorsk harbor to provide icebreaker assistance, two more icebreakers the Ermak and the Moscow are escorting crude oil tankers bound for the port of Primorsk.


Storm wind (20mps) has contributed to severe ice conditions in the Russian Gulf of Finland, Mr. Kharyuzov said.


"This morning we changed our plans for icebreakers and the situation has stabilized," the deputy harbormaster said. “Two tankers are expected to arrive this late evening and dock at Primorsk port for loading.


There is one more SBT oil tanker at the Primorsk port’s entrance buoy # 4 awaiting icebreaker assistance and 4 tankers are beyond the Russian territorial waters.


"If necessary, we will be able to deploy the St. Petersburg icebreaker at Primorsk port, which is now en route to Vysotsk Oil Terminal to be refueled there. We can also add the Captain Sorokin," Mr. Kharyuzov said.


An earlier report said Transneft had ceased crude oil supplies through the pipeline to Primorsk port due to heavy ice conditions.


Leningrad region-based Port of Primorsk (Primorsk Trade Port, PTP) is the premier port in the Russian North-West region for exports of crude oil and petroleum products and the terminus of the Baltic Pipeline System (BPS). In 2010, crude exports via the port totaled 71,7 million tons.
(Source:http://en.portnews.ru)