The keel laying ceremony of a new icebreaking gas carrier ordered with the participation of the Sovcomflot group to service the Arctic LNG 2 project took place at the Zvezda shipbuilding complex (SSC) (Primorsky Territory).

This is the first ship out of 14 gas carriers, the customer of which is SMART LNG LLC, a joint venture between PAO Sovcomflot and PAO NOVATEK.

In total, SSC "Zvezda" is building 15 such vessels. The pilot gas carrier is owned directly by the Sovcomflot group, the rest of the vessels in the series are owned by SMART LNG.

Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for 2023. The keel was laid within the terms provided by the contract.

The vessels of the new series are designed for year-round transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the conditions of the Northern Sea Route. They have been assigned the highest Arc7 ice class. A distinctive feature of the series will be the higher icebreaking capability and maneuverability in comparison with the first generation of such vessels (the “Christophe de Margerie” series). The commissioning of new gas carriers will make it possible to accelerate the implementation of national plans to increase cargo traffic in the NSR water area and ensure year-round navigation in its eastern sector.

The length of the new series of gas carriers is 300 m, width - 48.8 m, cargo capacity - 172.6 thousand cubic meters. The propulsion system includes three steerable propellers with a total capacity of 45 MW. All 15 vessels will operate under the state flag of the Russian Federation.

Source: PAO Sovcomflot

Photo: PAO Sovcomflot