New diesel electric arctic vessel “Monchegorsk” begins its first voyage
Diesel electric Arctic vessel “Monchegorsk” was handed over to its owner OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (hereinafter – MMC Norilsk Nickel or the Company) today in the port of Wismar (Germany), at the Aker shipbuilding yards, and the flag of the Russian Federation was raised on the vessel. This is the second ship in the series of vessels being built for MMC Norilsk Nickel creating its own sea fleet.
“Monchegorsk” was first put afloat this January in Germany and successfully passed all sea trials. Now it will go on its first independent trip, already under the Russian flag. Murmansk is its port of registry.
“Today we may confirm that the Company’s decision to build its own sea fleet was strategically sound. This will ensure both its economic security and transport costs reduction by 25-30%. The remaining three vessels will be commissioned and handed over to the Company according to the previously approved schedule”, - said Yuri Golovin, head of Transport and Logistics Department at MMC Norilsk Nickel.
Before the end of the first quarter of 2009 MMC Norilsk Nickel will receive three more ships to operate on the Northern Sea Route: “Zapolyarny” (autumn 2008), “Talnakh” (winter 2008) and “Nadezhda” (winter 2009). All of them will be built by Aker Yards.
As was announced earlier, the first Arctic vessel, “Norilsk Nickel”, was handed over to the Company in April of 2006. It is now in operation for more than two years, demonstrating its efficient running performance in the Arctic.
Operation of these 14.5 DWT diesel electric vessels is based on the patented double action concept. They are able to break Arctic ice with thicknesses of more than 1.5m. Approximate cost of one vessel is 82 million euros.
MMC Norilsk Nickel , a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Russian Federation, is the largest diversified mining and metals company in Russia, the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium and one of the world's largest producers of platinum, rhodium, copper and cobalt. In addition to this, Norilsk Nickel produces a large number of other by-products, including gold, silver, tellurium, selenium, iridium and ruthenium. The Norilsk Nickel group is involved in prospecting, exploration, extraction, beneficiation and metallurgical processing of minerals; and in production, marketing and sales of base and precious metals.
The key production units of the Group in Russia are the Polar Division and OJSC Kola Mining and Metallurgical Company. MMC Norilsk Nickel International Nickel Business includes operations in Finland, Australia, Botswana and South Africa.
“Monchegorsk” was first put afloat this January in Germany and successfully passed all sea trials. Now it will go on its first independent trip, already under the Russian flag. Murmansk is its port of registry.
“Today we may confirm that the Company’s decision to build its own sea fleet was strategically sound. This will ensure both its economic security and transport costs reduction by 25-30%. The remaining three vessels will be commissioned and handed over to the Company according to the previously approved schedule”, - said Yuri Golovin, head of Transport and Logistics Department at MMC Norilsk Nickel.
Before the end of the first quarter of 2009 MMC Norilsk Nickel will receive three more ships to operate on the Northern Sea Route: “Zapolyarny” (autumn 2008), “Talnakh” (winter 2008) and “Nadezhda” (winter 2009). All of them will be built by Aker Yards.
As was announced earlier, the first Arctic vessel, “Norilsk Nickel”, was handed over to the Company in April of 2006. It is now in operation for more than two years, demonstrating its efficient running performance in the Arctic.
Operation of these 14.5 DWT diesel electric vessels is based on the patented double action concept. They are able to break Arctic ice with thicknesses of more than 1.5m. Approximate cost of one vessel is 82 million euros.
MMC Norilsk Nickel , a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Russian Federation, is the largest diversified mining and metals company in Russia, the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium and one of the world's largest producers of platinum, rhodium, copper and cobalt. In addition to this, Norilsk Nickel produces a large number of other by-products, including gold, silver, tellurium, selenium, iridium and ruthenium. The Norilsk Nickel group is involved in prospecting, exploration, extraction, beneficiation and metallurgical processing of minerals; and in production, marketing and sales of base and precious metals.
The key production units of the Group in Russia are the Polar Division and OJSC Kola Mining and Metallurgical Company. MMC Norilsk Nickel International Nickel Business includes operations in Finland, Australia, Botswana and South Africa.