Russian LNG producer Novatek and compatriot National Carrier (NATCAR) are joining forces to develop the market for LNG as fuel for trucks in Russia.
In that regard, the two firms signed a cooperation agreement in Saint Petersburg, according to a Novatek statement on Thursday.
NATCAR agreed to purchase 600 LNG-fueled road trucks manufactured in Russia with the support of Novatek’s corporate promotion program.
Novatek said the fleet will rely on the company’s network of LNG refueling stations, which will cover the key federal highways of the European part of Russia as early as in 2026.
“Active development of the market of natural gas as a motor fuel is part of our strategy,” Leonid Mikhelson, chairman of Novatek’s management board, said in the statement.
“LNG is a sustainable and affordable fuel. Promoting its use in the transport sector helps us do our part in protecting the environment, advancing Russian technology, and making the transport industry more cost-efficient,” he said.
Novatek operates the Yamal LNG export plant, as well as the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 and Vysotsk LNG terminals.
In 2021, Novatek’s LNG fueling retail network in Russia expanded to 13 stations.
Before the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, Novatek planned to expand its network to more than 40 retail LNG fueling stations in Europe.