title: Analysis of Alternatives for Providing Icebreaking Services in Estonia: Final Report
abstract: The development of powerful icebreakers and ice-strengthened cargo vessels has made winter navigation possible in the northern parts of the Baltic Sea as well as in some other seasonally, or even permanently, ice-covered sea areas. Thus the ice barriers, which previously closed these coasts and sea areas from shipping, have been mostly overcome.<br> Briefly, the consequences of the current hazards of winter navigation seem to be limited to minor structural damage. No ice related ship disasters w