Russian Zvezda yard is continuing with the construction of a series of LNG-powered Aframax tankers for compatriot Rosneft as the first vessel has already started shipping crude oil.
The yard said it held a keel-laying ceremony for the vessel to be named Akademik Ivanter on March 4. It plans to deliver the tanker in 2022.
In addition, this is the seventh Aframax tanker Zvezda is building for Rosneft’s unit Rosnefteflot that will use them for crude oil transportation.
These are the first Russian-built Aframax tankers and they will all feature WinGD LNG propulsion, but they can also run on HFO. The 114,000 dwt tankers will be 250 meters long and 44 meters wide.
First tanker already in operation
Rosneftlfot already took delivery of the first tanker in these series in December 2020.
Following delivery from Zvezda, LNG-fueled Vladimir Monomakh embarked on its maiden voyage in January, according to Rosnefteflot.
Zvezda is a large shipbuilding complex located in the town of Bolshoy Kamen in the Russian Far East.
Moreover, a consortium consisting of Rosneftegaz, Rosneft but also Gazprombank owns the yard.
The yard’s order portfolio currently amounts to over 50 vessels. These include ice-class LNG carriers that will serve Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project.