Finland, Russia Ink Deal on Icebreaking Cooperation

Finland and Russia signed an agreement on 15 September providing a framework for cooperation in icebreaking services, Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications said.

The agreement was signed by Harri Pursiainen, Permanent Secretary of the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications, and Sergei Aristov, Russian Deputy Minister of Transport.

As explained by the Finnish Ministry, the agreement on icebreaking services enables Finnish icebreakers to operate in the eastern parts of the Gulf of Finland in the territorial waters of Russia in return for compensation.

Reciprocally, Russian icebreakers can assist vessels operating to Finnish ports in the Gulf of Finland. Nevertheless, operations in territorial waters will always be subject to a permit from the authorities.

“Flexible use of the icebreaking capacity will make winter navigation in the eastern Gulf of Finland more efficient during severe ice winters and improve its safety. The agreement will open up new markets for Finnish enterprises in icebreaking services,” the Ministry said in a statement.