OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel’s cargo transport efficiency has improved. Fleet modernisation and further optimisation of container transport with respect to cargos shipped from Dudinka made it possible to improve performance specifications of the vessels and reduce handling time during high-water period. Since 2008 MMC Norilsk Nickel has been using its own vessels to ship metals from Dudinka port during а high-water period on the Yenisei River. Before its modernisation and equipment with shipboard cranes, loading of diesel motor ship Norilsk Nickel took 16.5 days as it was effected by crane boat in the inner harbour of Dudinka port.During 2009-2011 navigation period, with diesel motor ship Nadezhda equipped with shipboard cranes joining the fleet, the company sent two vessels already to Dudinka for shipping operations in the harbour during high-water period. These loading operations showed that handling time for a vessel with board cranes totalled 6-7 days; vessel handling by a boat crane took 11-17 days.
To improve the operational efficiency of the fleet, at the end of 2011 diesel motor ship Norilsk Nickel underwent modernisation at the German shipyards, in particular, the shipboard was equipped with two 45 t cranes, and the vessel’s capacity was expanded.
Thus, in 2012, two vessels equipped with on board cranes and capable of effecting loading and unloading operations on their own were sent for shipping operations in the harbour during high-water period on the Yenisei River. On June 10, 2012 Nadezhda and the modernised Norilsk Nickel, avoiding the ice drifting area in the mouth of the Yenisei River, entered open waters and in the morning of June, 11 arrived in the harbour of Dudinka port for matte and metal products shipment.
The Polar Transportation Division of the company (PTD) promptly ensured the support required and the ships handling began in the morning of June, 11. On June, 17 loading of the ships was completed.
As a result of simultaneous processing of two vessels by own shipboard cranes the lay time saved totalled five days as compared to 2011 results, in monetary terms amounting to about RUB4.2 million.