OREANDA-NEWS. February 12, 2009. According to the information published recently by a number of Russian and foreign mass media, the “Monchegorsk” container ship with the Russian crew was detained off the Cyprus coast, reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel.

This Cyprus flag ship allegedly cruised between Iran and Syria with a doubtful cargo.  Without due verification of facts, some mass media boldly asserted that it was an Arctic-type diesel-electric vessel of the same name belonging to MMC Norilsk Nickel (“Norilsk Nickel” or “the Company”).

In view of the above, MMC Norilsk Nickel hereby announces that the container ship mentioned by mass media was built in 1983 and bears no relation to the Company.

Our Monchegorsk diesel-electric ship, number two in the Company’s own Arctic fleet, was commissioned on July 31, 2008 and never left the Northern Sea Route since then, running between Dudinka and Murmansk/Arkhangelsk ports with Norilsk Nickel’s cargoes. Our diesel-electric Monchegorsk flies the flag of the Russian Federation.