Cargo Ships Stranded in Severe Winter Conditions Near Estonia

Two cargo ships became stranded in the Gulf of Riga, the Gulf of Finland, and the Baltic due to harsh winter conditions. The Bugoe, a Portuguese-flagged ship, and the Friendland, a Latvian-flagged cargo ship, were immobilized by strong winds and drift ice. The Friendland was rescued by a local ferry and was able to continue its trip to Finland, while the Bugoe remains trapped, waiting for weather conditions to improve.

Estonia’s maritime services had reported severe ice conditions in the region, exacerbated by a winter storm with strong winds. The Estonian State and Transportation Administration suspended pilot services in the area due to the current weather conditions. The TS Laevad ferry the Toll, with an A1 ice rating, was able to clear a channel and escort the Friendland back to open water, allowing the vessel to resume its trip.

The Bugoe, however, was driven off course and became stranded in shallow waters. Efforts to guide the cargo ship back to the channel were unsuccessful due to the weather conditions. The ship remains stuck, with the hope that changing winds and subsiding conditions will allow it to free itself and make its way back to port when conditions improve.

Source .