According to figures from the port administration, the total goods turnover in 2012 amounted to 15,69 million tons, which is the biggest volume ever handled by the company. The result is 8,6 percent above the 2011 level, a press release from the company reads.
Murmansk Commerial Sea Port is Russia’s fourth biggest port and the word’s biggest north of the Arctic Circle. In Northwest Russia, only the port of Sankt Petersburg is bigger.
Coal accounted for as much as 11,63 million tons of turnover, and was the key reason for the success. In 2012, the company boosted exports of coal with as much as 863,600 tons. Apatite concentrate accounted for 986,000 tons of the goods, while iron concentrate totaled 1,63 million tons and non-ferrous metals – 326,600 tons. Practically all goods handled by the port were exported.
As previously reported, the two new main owners of the port, companies Eurochem and Siberian Coal Energy Company, intend to further increase the exports of iron and apatite ore, as well as coal.
The Murmansk Commercial Sea Port is strategically situated on the eastern bank of the Kola Bay with good railway connection and access to deep and ice-free waters. In 2012, a total of 223,157 rail cars and 511 ships were handled by the port workers.
In addition to the commercial port, Murmansk also has a fish port and a passenger terminal. In addition, mining and metallurgy major Norilsk Nickel has over the last years developed its own port facilities in the area, from where its exports the nickel concentrate extracted and processed in Pechenga and Mochegorsk.
