Norilsk Nickel to sign tanker order

Industry reports suggest that Norilsk Nickel OJSC in Russia intends to sign a contract on building a 20,000 dwt high ice-class oil tanker by the end of this year.

Nikolai Matyushenko, Deputy Head of production development department of Norilsk Nickel OJSC, said the tender results on shipyard selection will be announced as soon as possible. According to Matyushenko, shipyards of Finland, Germany and Croatia are the most probable bidders to obtain this order.

The approximate cost of the vessel building is Euro 90 million and delivery is required in 18 months. Matyushenko said the tanker will ship light oil products to Norilsk (Dudinka port, the Enisei river estuary) and ship gas condensate produced in Petelinskoe deposit ex Norilsk.