Nornickel’s Polar Transport Division (Dudinka) is readying itself for the end of the winter navigation season, which started on 1 November 2018, and coming spring floods.

During six months of the winter navigation period the port handled 662 kt of various cargoes shipped in and out of it, loaded and unloaded 39 of Nornickel vessels. Seven more sea vessels are expected to arrive at the Dudinka Port before the upcoming break in navigation, delivering ca. 56 kt of cargoes.

In April and May, the harbor cranes were removed from the port’s berths that are usually exposed to floods. By the end of May, over 5 kt of cargoes, several thousands of sea containers with various goods, 11 Liebherr harbor cranes and many of the port facilities will be transported from the flood area.

According to experts, the flooding of the Polar Transport Division 8 m berths should begin on 21–25 May. An ice drift near Dudinka is expected on 1–5 June.

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Dudinka is the only seaport in the Far North opened for year-round navigation. Its berths are flooded in springs and return to operation after an ice drift.

Nornickel’s sea fleet contains six ice-class vessels, including five dry cargo vessels and a tanker, which is essential to ensure sea transportation of materials throughout the year. In terms of facilities and equipment, the port has 30 public berths, of which eight are suitable for handling vessels with draught over 10 m.

It has capacity and a solid experience of inshore transshipment of large-size or heavy load cargo exceeding 200 t via its berths.

Polar Transport Division is prepared for flood