Murmansk Commercial Seaport commissions dust and wind shields
On April 3, the first stage of a large-scale dust and wind shield environmental project was officially commissioned at the Arctic berth of the Murmansk Commercial seaport, SUEK says in a press release.
The event was attended by Alexander Masko, General Director of the Murmansk Commercial seaport, Andrey Chibis, Acting Governor of the Murmansk region, Sergei Dubovoy, Chairman of the Murmansk Regional Duma, Andrey Sysoev, Head of Murmansk City Administration, and Sergey Pokrovsky, First Deputy General Director of the Murmansk Commercial seaport.
‘Today we witness a historic event: the completion of the first stage of dust and wind shields. The project is fully adapted to our severe weather and received a vote of confidence from Glavgosexpertiza (Russia's Main Department of State Expertise). Having studied the positive experience of the best global stevedoring companies, we developed a revolutionary structure, which cannot be found in any Russian port,’ Alexander Masko said in his speech.
Dust and wind shields are being constructed as part of a large-scale environmental programme delivered by the Murmansk Seaport with a total financing in excess of $45.8m. The length of the first stage structures is 568 metres. The second and third stages will add another 1,336 metres. The Murmansk Commercial seaport will invest over $10.6m in the project. General Director of the port thanked all the port workers and colleagues from contracting organisations for investing their efforts and knowledge in the construction of these shields.
‘Murmansk Commercial seaport is a priority for us as the basis for the development of the Northern Sea Route. I am pleased to see that SUEK strives not only to increase shipment figures but also cares about the environment. I hope that their analysis of international experience has enabled them to construct a facility that will minimise the environmental impact on our city and its inhabitants,’ the Acting Governor of the Murmansk region Andrey Chibis said.
A new meeting dedicated to new ways of expanding cooperation with the city's primary taxpayer will be shortly held.
‘Today’s event is a milestone for all residents of the region. The port contributes very significantly to the development of our harsh polar region. Unfortunately, the industrial development of the territory affects the quality of the environment. Today, we have to state a heavy impact on the Arctic ecosystem. Nobody is able to immediately solve this problem that has been there for many years,’ Chairman of the Murmansk Regional Duma, Sergey Dubovoy, said.
The parliamentarian noted the solidary position of the regional authorities and companies operating in Murmansk: they are interested in improving the quality of the environment. The head of the regional parliament thanked the port management and all those participating in this important project.
‘Only in harmony with our fragile northern nature, with reliance on a smart, people-oriented policy, can we achieve ambitious goals and search for new growth points,’ Sergey Dubovoy said.
‘Let me remind you that the city of Murmansk was built around the port, and not vice versa. In recent years, we have witnessed a true renaissance of the port and, consequently, the economic revival of our city. Murmansk Commercial seaport tackles environmental issues step by step. This is exemplified by such amazing structures as dust and wind shields,’ Andrey Sysoev, Head of Murmansk City Administration, added.
According to him, the relationship of the city with the port is built on close cooperation in compliance with the signed agreement, based on systematic, serious and efficient measures.
According to Oleg Titberia, General Director of SMM (company specialising in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of heavy lifting equipment for ports), the constructed dust and wind shields are an example of the comprehensive scientific approach of the company and Russian environmental scientists who extensively study the experience of building such structures by the largest international terminals.
The Murmansk Commercial seaport has already started further work on the construction of dust and wind shields. Their completion is scheduled for 2020.
Murmansk Commercial seaport provides access to the Atlantic Ocean and the ports of western Europe, the Mediterranean and the east coast of the US. SUEK Group owns 100% of the voting shares in the Murmansk Commercial seaport.