Norilsk resumes shipments after a seasonal halt

MOSCOW, July 7 (Reuters) - Russian metals giant Norilsk Nickel said on Wednesday the first ship with a cargo bound for Europe had left the Arctic port of Dudinka, its main export outlet, after a seasonal halt caused by flooding.

Norilsk normally interrupts loading of nickel, copper and cobalt bound for export markets and focuses on its refineries on the northwestern Kola peninsula at the end of May, when ice breaks on the Yenisei river, where Dudinka is located.

The port equipment is dismantled during this period.

Normally, Dudinka starts loading ships in the open sea by barges, while high water levels do not permit normal port operations.

Port operations will be restored in full around July 20 this year, Norilsk's press office said.

(Reporting by Polina Devitt, writing by Aleksandras Budrys) Keywords: NORILSK/PORT ([e-mail]; [phone]; Reuters Messaging: [e-mail]) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.