Vessels stuck in ice near the Chukotka Peninsula may spend the winter in the port of Pevek, the Russian Emergencies Ministry's Directorate for the Chukotka Autonomous Area reported on Monday, January 23.

"The possibility of leaving the vessels at the port for the winter has been actively discussed. The Autonomous Area government is ready to provide all the assistance required for a safe stay — fuel, oil, lubricants, food and more," the website of the Chukotka Autonomous Area government reads.

The Emergencies Ministry said that the situation is not critical. "Winter anchoring is a normal practice to prevent accidents caused by severe ice conditions," the message reads.

At present, icebreakers have been exploring the site to determine whether it is possible to escort the bulk carriers through the consolidated ice zone. It has been decided that the bulk carriers will stay in the port of Pevek until the ice conditions improve and the most convenient route is cleared.

The crews are safe, and they have food supplies.

The vessels arrived in the town of Pevek from Arkhangelsk along the Northern Sea Route in early January and delivered construction materials to the Arctic region to build a pier for the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power station. The station will be transported to Chukotka via the Northern Sea Route and assembled there in 2018.