Following the successful introduction into service last year of the 14,500 dwt Norilskiy Nickel from Aker Finnyards Helsinki facility, MMC Norilsk Nickel has commissioned another four of the class from Aker Yards, Germany. For the latest newbuildings MacGREGOR will deliver the complete hatch cover sets and install the hydraulic piping and the tweendeck covers in a contract worth around u201a13 million.

Exploiting the double-acting icebreaking principle in conjunction with electric podded propulsion, the fleet is designed to transport nickel exports from Northern Siberia without assistance from icebreakers.

A container capacity of 648 TEU is arranged in three holds (389 TEU) and on deck (259 TEU), the holds served by an outfit of MacGREGOR hydraulically-operated high-stowing folding hatch covers on the weatherdeck and tweendeck.

The 13-panel weatherdeck hatch cover shipset comprises:

Operation of the hatch covers in very severe Arctic conditions (down to -50oC) dictates special measures in designing the equipment and hydraulic system and in specifying materials, such as the rubber packing.

[ends]


For further information please contact:
Thomas Kappel, Area Manager, MacGREGOR (DEU) GmbH
Tel. +49-40-25 44 43 10 Fax: +49-40-25 44 44 44
E-mail: thomas.kappel@macgregor-group.com

or

MacGREGOR Group press office:
Mr Steve Labdon, MacGREGOR Group Media Representative
Tel: +44 (0)20 8364 1441 Fax: +44 (0)20 8364 1331
E-mail: steve.labdon@j-l-a.com

Download high-res image: 06_ArcticExpress_Hco_01a.jpg