OREANDA-NEWS. August 13, 2012. OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (hereinafter – “MMC Norilsk Nickel” or “the Company” or “the Group”) announces that a permanent checkpoint on the State Russian Border for cargo and passengers was officially inaugurated, reported the press-centre of Norilsk Nickel.

The opening ceremony was attended by Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, as well as by representatives of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, the Federal Customs Service, Federal Agency for Sea and River Fleet (Rosrechmorflot), and Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. Last week Inter-Agency Commission’s members signed a certificate proving the checkpoint compliance with all the relevant requirements.

Before opening of the permanent checkpoint, import and export cargoes were cleared through customs in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk seaports, as well as in the ports of the Far East. Now, the marine vessels carrying out international routes may be shipped directly in Dudinka with registration of all the required border and customs documents.

Foreign vessels may also touch directly at Dudinka, executing all the necessary documents in the port. Thus, Dudinka port becomes the northernmost international seaport.

The first ship executed the permit procedure today was "Norilsk Nickel" diesel-electric ship carrying the Company’s metal products and heading for the western ports during its scheduled voyage.

As explained by Yevgeny Ovcharov, Director for Logistics of OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, “the establishment of a checkpoint at Dudinka seaport will allow the Company saving time for the delivery of the Company's products to overseas ports and, therefore, improving the efficiency of our fleet". According to Mr. Ovcharov, the Company contributes enormously to the development of the Northern Sea Route and to the strengthening of Russia’s geopolitical position in the Arctic.

Since 2006, MMC Norilsk Nickel has accepted for operation five highest ice-class container vessels, which make up the body of the Company’s sea fleet. Since November 2011 the Company’s ice-class tanker has been successfully operated.

Sea fleet ensures year-round guaranteed cargo delivery to Norilsk Industrial Area and export of commercial products to domestic and foreign markets.

Annual freight turnover ensured by the Company's sea fleet along the Northern Sea Route totals 1 mln. t, including 0.45 mln. t of commodity metals and 0.55 mln. t of cargos for Norilsk Industrial District.