Public Joint Stock Mining and Metallurgical Norilsk Nickel : Nornickel’s Polar Transport Division to grow freight turnover by a third

NornickelPublic Joint Stock Company "Mining and Metallurgical Company "Norilsk Nickel" and its subsidiariesGo to the glossary's Polar Transport Division (PTD) has finished the winter navigation season. From November 2021 up to the end of May 2022, the Dudinka Port processed 81 vessels and over 1 mt in cargo - a third more than a year ago. The growth in volumes was associated with Nornickel's large-scale projects that require lots of shipments.

Nornickel's container carrier in the port of Dudinka

For the summer navigation season, the port expects more than 2 mt of cargo. The turnover for the year is projected to exceed 4 mt compared to 3 mt last year.

Much preparation went in ensuring the facilities' readiness for the freight traffic increase: additional equipment was purchased, and berths and buffer platforms were fitted for intermediate storage of cargo intended for Nornickel's investment programmes.

"Given the rising freight turnover, we are taking measures to expedite and optimise our operations. We did some preventative repairs on the berth facilities, and delivered a second mobile crane to the river berths following the successful test run of the first one there last year. This makes for more efficient handling of the river fleet after freshets, when the water level is high and the rest of the equipment is not yet ready for operation," says Alexey Novakov, Head of PTD.

PTD has launched a large-scale equipment upgrade programme to further boost efficiency. It provides for the replacement of 35 bridge cranes over a seven-year period, with contracts already in place for 14. PTD will receive the first two cranes in November this year and January 2023 - that is on top of other new equipment that has already been purchased and is expected to arrive at the port shortly. "It includes bulldozers, motor graders, bucket loaders, and vehicle lifts. Most of the machinery is domestically manufactured and assembled," says Alexey Novakov.