OREANDA-NEWS. December 26, 2012. Two icebreakers owned by Rosmorport’s Astrakhan branch, the Kapitan Bukayev and the Kapitan Chechkin were escorting a convoy of 6 cargo ships (as of 09:00 am, Dec. 26) on the 5th-km stretch of the Volga Caspian Shipping Canal to the anchorage No 5 of the port of Astrakhan, the Authority of Caspian basin sea ports said. The Kapitan Metsayk was cutting a path for the ferries lines.

Ice class restrictions, which require mandatory icebreaker assistance, entered into force as of midnight (UCT), December 16, 2012 following unfavorable weather forecast. From midnight of December 21, 2012 ATBs are not allowed to sail in the water area of port of Astrakhan as well as the ships without ice class.