STFI41 EFKL 240947

FINNISH ICE REPORT 24.12.2025

The ice in the Bay of Bothnia is drifting eastward.

In the Northern Bay of Bothnia, 10-20 cm thick fast ice and thin ice
in the archipelago. Farther out new-ice formation and drifting shuga.

In the Southern Bay of Bothnia and in the Quark thin ice in places in
the archipelago.

In the Lake Saimaa in places thin ice.

Icebreakers: Zeus assists in the Bay of Bothnia. Matari assists in
the Lake Saimaa.

Assistance restrictions: Minimum ice class and deadweight required of
assisted vessels:
Tornio, Kemi and Oulu, II of more than 2000 tons.
Joensuu, Puhos, Siilinjrvi, Kuopio and Varkaus, II of more than 2000
tons.

Vessels bound for Gulf of Bothnia ports in which assistance
restrictions apply, shall when passing latitude 6000' N report their
nationality, name, destination, ETA and speed to ICE INFO on VHF
channel 82. This report can also be given directly by telephone to
+46 10 492 7600.

Vessels bound for Finnish or Swedish ports with assistance
restrictions in the Quark or the Bay of Bothnia shall, 20 nautical
miles before Nordvalen Lighthouse (63 32,15' N 20 46,60' E), report
in accordance with the instructions for winter navigation to Bothnia
VTS on VHF channel 67.