A steel cutting ceremony has been completed at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex in the Russian Far East for a new Arc7 ice-class LNG tanker to transport LNG from Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project
Smart LNG, a joint venture between Novatek and Sovcomflot, is the entity that ordered the new Arc7 ice-class tanker. Arctic LNG 2 and Smart LNG had previously signed charter agreements for 14 similar Arc7 LNG carriers to be built at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex.
"The construction of the fleet of next-generation Arctic ice-class gas carriers at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex for Arctic LNG 2 will make it possible to localise technologies for constructing high-tonnage and high-tech vessels in Russia," said Novatek director for marine operations, shipping and logistics Evgeniy Ambrosov.
“All Arc7 ice-class LNG carriers ordered by SMART LNG at Zvezda will be registered under the flag of the Russian Federation and will be fully equipped by Russian crews. To properly train the Arctic crews, it is now necessary to use the full potential of the Russian educational system, including the country’s largest maritime educational Center, Admiral Nevelskoy state maritime university in Vladivostok," Mr Ambrosov said.
The new Arc7 ice-class tankers are designed to ensure year-round navigation along the Northern Sea Route, including the eastern section, and have increased icebreaking and manoeuvring characteristics as compared to existing Arctic tankers used by the Yamal LNG project, a Novatek statement said.
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