The MMC Norilsk Nickel company is to invest $36 million in the construction of its own terminal at the port of Murmansk in 2010- 2011. This forms part of an overall $98 million project that should be completed by the end of 2013.
The terminal will have a capacity of 1.5mt (million tonnes) annually, though initially will be able to accommodate up to 800,000 tonnes. Operations are due to commence by early 2012, thereby allowing the company to handle all its own shipments in its own terminal, which will be equipped with two berths with alongside draught of 11m. These will be linked to the rail network and also have enclosed warehousing nearby.
The company has three portal cranes already in place in the port, with plans to acquire an additional three.