Port operations in ice covered waters are challenging due to formation of brash ice. Traffic frequency and nature of the cargo vessel traffic are affecting the icebreaking events in harbour basins and approaching channels, and consequently the ice management needs. There are no standard solutions for ice management in harbour areas and each location must be locally studied in connection with the port design. An early understanding and estimation of brash ice thickness will lead into good identification of associated risks and challenges when designing harbours and ice management systems and methods.
In harbours located in arctic and sub-arctic areas ice forms during the winter season causing additional challenges to navigation and terminal operations in the form of ice drift into harbour areas, brash ice growth in fairways and terminal basin, ice collar formation in wharves and icing of terminal structures and equipment. All these key aspects cause additional cost during the winter season: mooring times are longer, fuel consumption increases, ship's rudders and propellers are exposed to ice contacts (risk to be damaged), terminal structures are exposed to ice impact and icebreaker/tug assistance is needed, especially if intensive manoeuvres are required for ship berthing operations. Due to higher propulsion power being used close to the port or terminal structures, the propeller wash effect is heavier in ice infested waters (intensification of sea bed erosion). This must be considered in design of coastal and protective structures.
Traffic management in ports, coastal fairways and channels without any kind of ice management system or icebreaker assistance becomes extremely challenging when the average freezing index (CFDD) exceed 1000 °C-day (Eranti, 1986). Hence, to assure safety and operability, ice management operations need to be carried out to clear the quayside of brash ice, or to ease the navigation conditions in fairways and channels. As the varying environmental conditions affect the initiation and development of above ice challenges the entire season needs to be considered, from freezing through to melting / thawing.
