Modern peculiarities of ice conditions along the navigational routes in the Tatar strait of the Sea of Japan

In 2004-2005, the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) developed a specialized hydrometeorological support system to ensure safe and efficient support of maritime operations. Based on this system, since 2006, AARI has been providing ice service for shuttle tankers in the Tatar Strait from December to March. On the basis of the AARI sea ice charts, the peculiarities of sea ice regime in the Tatar Strait are considered, and on the basis of ice navigation experience, two main navigational routes were determined: western along the continental coast and eastern along the Sakhalin Island. The unique special ship observations allowed to analyze sea ice characteristics, formed during the ice period in the Tatar Strait and defined choice of western or eastern route for navigation.