Murmansk receives first coal following bridge collapse

More than 1,000 wagons of coal have been unloaded at Murmansk port following the opening of a new rail bypass on 19 June, restoring the port's connection to the Russian rail network.

Some 40 trains have arrived in Murmansk to unload a variety of cargo, including coal, fertiliser and iron ore. Rail operator RZD plans to unload an additional 66 freight trains by the end of the week that were backed up following the collapse of an important bridge on 1 June.

Of the 1,708 wagons unloaded by 06:00 local time today, 1,338 contained coal.

The new 5.7km bypass route opened four days ahead of schedule on 19 June.

RZD did not release details of the capacity of the new bypass, but participants previously speculated it could handle around 50pc of the usual route's cargo.

The local government does not expect to finish rebuilding the bridge at the affected intersection, and therefore restore full connectivity, until October.

About 1.3mn t of Russian coal and coke headed to Murmansk by rail for export in May.

By Alex Thackrah