The icebreaker "Varma" has serviced 148 vessels in the Gulf of Riga since the beginning of ice navigation until Monday, March 9, the LETA agency was informed by the management of the Riga Free Port, LETA reports.
The free port reported that ice navigation in the port of Riga is currently ongoing, and the "Varma" is servicing vessels according to the port captain's instructions.
The management noted that ice accumulations remain the biggest problem and challenge for vessels. At the same time, although spring has already arrived on the coast and thawing has begun, ice still persists in the bay, which is being moved by the wind and forming clusters. Therefore, the routes of vessels are being promptly adjusted according to the current situation in the bay.
The free port also noted that it is currently impossible to predict the end of ice navigation, as this depends on weather conditions and wind direction.
This week, the icebreaker "Varma" will continue its work.
As previously reported by LETA, on February 4 of this year, at the direction of the captain of the port of Riga, the icebreaker "Varma" left the dock and went to work in the Gulf of Riga.
The last time "Varma" went on an ice escort mission was in the winter of 2018.
In the Riga Free Port, 16.749 million tons of cargo were handled in 2025, which is 7.3% less than in 2024. The port of Riga is the largest port in Latvia by cargo handling volume.
