In Russia, the far northern port of Murmansk has put into operation new facilities at the Lavna Coal Handling Complex. These form part of a planned expansion phase. This, in concert with other previously commissioned facilities, has boosted the port's production capacity to 12 million tonnes of coal per year.
According to the State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK), which is responsible for the construction of the port complex and investment management, such a volume represents 67% of the Lavna terminal projected capacity. Recent upgrades are part of the Phase 1.3.1 development, and include construction of a 508m2 transfer station, three conveyor racks with a total length of 145.7m, and a new coal stockpile area. Lavna’s strategic position in the Arctic allows it to export coal via the Northern Sea Route from what are deep-water and all-year-round ice-free facilities.
The first export coal shipment from the Lavna terminal took place in March last year.