MS Norilskiy Nickel, an arctic container vessel built under NB 505 in Helsinki, was delivered on 11 April 2006 to the Russian MMC Norilsk Nickel, one of the world´s leading metallurgic companies. The vessel is intended for traffic on the Northern Sea Route.

The vessel left Helsinki on 3 March 2006 for ice trials in real arctic conditions in Northern Russia. After successful trials it was handed over to the owners in Murmansk. MS Norilskiy Nickel is a prototype based on the double-acting ship concept. To find out the best economical and technological solutions for the vessel, several feasibility studies and ice model tests have been conducted in Arctic ice technology laboratory.

The Arctic Container Vessel worth 70 million euro is capable of breaking 1.5 m ice. It transports metallurgical products from Dudinka on the river of Yenisey to Murmansk. The vessel can navigate the ice-bound Arctic Ocean all year round, without the assistance of ice breakers.

Main Characteristics of the Norilskiy Nickel

Gross tonnage	17 000
Length overall	169.04 m
Breadth	23.1 m
Draught	9.0 m