Molovata ferry service may be suspended due to freezing
The ferry crossing the Nistru River in the Molovata area may be temporarily suspended due to ongoing frost and the thickening ice layer on the river. The State Enterprise responsible for managing the ferry service has announced that the situation will be continuously monitored, and the risk of a complete suspension of trips remains high.
According to Vitalie Gațcan, the administrator of the State Enterprise "Bacul Molovata," the ferry is not designed to operate in extreme cold conditions. The continuation of its service will depend on temperature changes and ice-layer thickness.
"The Nistru is freezing, and the ferry is not expected to run in winter when ice is present. For now, we are operating it to the fullest extent possible, but we cannot predict what the future weather will bring. If the ice thickens, traffic will become increasingly challenging, and we may need to suspend operations. We cannot risk the safety of people or equipment, especially since our equipment is quite old," Gațcan stated in an interview with "Teleradio-Moldova."
As of Saturday, January 10, two evening trips have been suspended: the 7:00 PM trip from Molovata Nouă and the 8:00 PM trip from Molovata. This measure is being maintained today to prevent ice-related incidents on the river.
Meteorologists have warned that temperatures could drop to minus 15 degrees Celsius at night, which could accelerate freezing in the coming days.
The ferry remains the primary access route for residents of Molovata Nouă, Cocieri, Vasilevca, and Corjova to reach the rest of the territory under the control of constitutional authorities. Travelers are encouraged to stay updated with official information and to follow the crew's instructions for their safety.
