Russia’s Zvezda lays keel for first Arctic LNG 2 vessel

Russian Zvezda shipyard has held a keel-laying ceremony for the first out of fifteen ice-class Arc7 carriers that will serve Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 export project.

Russia’s largest shipping firm Sovcomflot has ordered this vessel directly at Zvezda while it owns the other 14 vessels together with Novatek as part of the SMART LNG joint venture.

Following delivery in 2023-2025, all of these 172,000-cbm vessels will operate under long-term time-charter contracts with Arctic LNG 2.

Russia’s Zvezda lays keel for first Arctic LNG 2 vessel
At the keel-laying ceremony held on June 15 (Image: Sovcomflot)

The construction of these LNG carriers will ensure year-round transport of LNG along the Northern Sea Route to the Asia-Pacific region.

The Arctic 2 project located on the Gydan peninsula includes the construction of three LNG trains with a capacity of 6.6 mtpa, each, using gravity-based structure platforms.

Novatek expects to launch the first LNG train in 2023, with trains 2 and 3 to follow in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Besides operator Novatek, the project partners include TotalEnergies, CNPC, CNOOC, and the consortium of Mitsui and JOGMEC.

Most Popular

Technip Energies wins contract for Eni’s Coral Norte FLNG

France-based LNG engineering giant Technip Energies has won a contract for preliminary work on Eni's second FLNG project in Mozambique, Coral Norte (Coral North).

Victrol: LNG London hits bunkering milestone

The Shell-chartered inland bunkering vessel LNG London, owned by a joint venture of Belgium's Victrol and France's Sogestran, has reached a new operational milestone.

Himalaya’s LNG-fueled bulkers earned $34,500 per day in June

LNG-powered bulker owner Himalaya Shipping achieved average time charter equivalent earnings of about $34,500 per day in June.

More News Like This

Novatek’s gas sales climb in Q2

Russian LNG exporter Novatek reported a rise in its natural gas sales, including LNG, in the second quarter of this year.

Russian LNG production drops in May

Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) production continued to decrease in May compared to last year, according to the Russian statistics agency Rosstat.

Russia’s Novatek in LNG truck move

Russian LNG producer Novatek and compatriot National Carrier (NATCAR) are joining fores to develop the market for LNG as fuel for trucks.

Samsung Heavy cancels LNG carrier contract with Russia’s Zvezda

South Korean shipbuilding giant Samsung Heavy Industries has terminated contracts for 10 ice-class Arc7 LNG carriers and seven shuttle tankers with Russia's Zvezda.