China’s Hudong-Zhonghua has delivered the 174,000-cbm LNG Phecda to a joint venture consisting of compatriot Cosco Shipping and Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.
This follows an official naming ceremony for the newbuild at Hudong on August 19.
The LNG Phecda is the third in a series of four Yamal-dedicated vessels ordered by the MOL-Cosco venture.
Each of the 290 meters long ships features WinGD dual-fuel engines and GTT’s cargo containment system.
The Yamal carriers will not directly load chilled fuel at Novatek’s 16.5 mtpa LNG plant in the Russian Arctic.
They will take transshipped LNG at European terminals, previously delivered by ice-class carriers, for onward distribution mainly to Asia.
Hudong, a unit of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, is also finalising works on the fourth and final Yamal carrier in this batch, LNG Megrez.
This vessel has still to depart for gas trials following the completion of its sea trials on August 17.
The Chinese yard delivered the first carrier in this quartet, LNG Dubhe, in October 2019 followed by the second vessel, LNG Merak, earlier this year.