Total Energies has exercised an option with leading Russian shipowner Sovcomflot for the long-term charter of two next-generation 174,000-m3 LNG carriers currently under construction
Chartered for a period of up to seven years, the LNG carriers will operate within Total Energies global portfolio LNG trade under the technical management of Sovcomflot (SCF Group).
The option was exercised under a contract between TotalEnergies and Sovcomflot signed earlier this year for one sister vessel for delivery in Q3 2023. That vessel, under construction at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, is an SCF new-generation conventional Atlanticmax LNG carrier. Three sister ships, SCF La Perouse, SCF Barents and SCF Timmerman, are already in operation.
Much like those, the newly chartered LNG carriers for Total Energies each will be equipped with two two-stroke, low-pressure, Otto-cycle WinGD X-DF engines, air lubrication systems, and two shaft generators with electronic frequency converters to improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, environmental performance is enhanced with re-liquefaction systems to minimise gas combustion unit (GCU) usage.
Sovcomflot president and CEO Igor Tonkovidov, said, “Further growth of the fixed income portfolio from vessel operations with blue chip charterers lies at the very heart of SCF’s business model and remains consistent with the group strategy as it continues to rebalance its fleet towards industrial business.”
Continued Mr Tonkovidov, “These new LNG carriers will meet the current and expected international and regional environmental legislation as well as charterer’s requirements for energy efficiency, operational and navigational safety.”
SCF currently has 16 gas carriers in operation, with further 21 vessels under construction, including the newbuildings that will be chartered to Total Energies.
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