Svitzer secures LNG terminal support contract

Sakhalin Energy Investment Co has extended Svitzer’s current terminal marine services contract to Q4 2032, committing to producing LNG and exporting it to Asia/Pacific markets until then.

Svitzer operates a fleet of four ice-breaking tugs and two mooring vessels at this LNG export port on Sakhalin Island, Russia. It will support the mooring of more than 1,800 gas carriers in the 10 years from November 2022.

This production centre liquefies gas from the Sakhalin-II project, which incorporates oil and gas processing from an offshore field and production infrastructure.

Svitzer Asia cluster manager Alan Bradley says “With the extension we continue to play an important role in ensuring that oil, gas, food and supplies are reaching people and homes,” he said.

“An extension of a contract as significant as this one gives us confidence we are adding value,” said Mr Bradley. “It gives me confidence in our ability to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality services in the most challenging of environments, by providing efficient marine services in their terminal.”

Svitzer operates four Robert Allen-designed TundRA series, ice-breaking tugs. These are 34.5 m long multifunctional vessels built for escorting and handling LNG carriers all year round in iced up waters in the Russian Far East.

These tugs are designed to break 85 cm of ice covered with 20 cm of snow at a speed of 3 knots.

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Svitzer employs 58 Russian crew members and nine onshore support staff in its terminal operations. It has been providing towage services to the Sakhalin-II project since 2007.

With this long-term agreement, Svitzer remains committed to ensuring reliable and safe marine operations for Sakhalin Energy Investment Co in a harsh and remote area. Its Sakhalin operations are part of Svitzer’s Asia and Middle East region, where it employs 1,225 people and 109 vessels, delivering marine services to global and regional customers across 10 countries.