Winter navigation
Traffic restrictions are imposed to improve the safety and efficiency of winter navigation. Icebreaker assistance will only be given to vessels, which meet the requirements set out in the traffic restrictions.
Latest update:
January 23rd 2026, 14:20 LT
Present & announced restrictions
The aim with implementing traffic restrictions is to increase the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic during winter. Only vessels that fulfill the traffic restrictions can receive icebreaker assistance.
Additional winter traffic information
The traffic separation schemes (TSS) in the Quark are temporarily out of use from January 15th 2026. The TSS will be out of use until further notice, but no longer than May 4th 2026.
The icebreaker activity
Ale: Relocate to Vänern
Atle: Assists S Bay of Bothnia
Frej: Assists N Bay of Bothnia
Idun: Assists N Sea of Bothnia
Oden: Port Helsingborg
Ymer: Port Luleå 24 h standby
Baltica: Fairway work
Scandica: Fairway work
Baltic Icebreaking Management
Information about the Swedish, Finnish and Estonian icebreaking, icechart, icebreaker activities, dirways, etc.
Regulations and guidance for winter navigation
The publication Winter Navigation 2023-2024 summerizes regulations, guidance and contact information for winter navigation to and from Sweden.
Exemptions
Exempts can be granted if there is available ice breaking capacity, or if there is temporary ease in the weather and ice conditions. Please see the Winter navigation publication ch. 2.3 for more information.
Applications for exempts are made by sending the completed form to opc@sjofartsverket.se, no earlier than 10 days before arrival. Incorrectly completed forms will be returned to sender.
Contact information
The icebreaker management can be reached on +46 (0)771-63 25 25.
For urgent matters on-call duty outside normal workinghours.
Email: opc@sjofartsverket.se
Last updated 2026-01-23