Russia’s Zvezda starts building first Arctic LNG 2 vessel

Russian Zvezda shipyard has started building the first out of fifteen ice-class ARC7 carriers that will serve the Novatek-operated Arctic LNG 2 export project.

To mark the construction start, the yard held a steel cutting ceremony on November 20 attended by officials including from Novatek, Sovcomflot and VEB.RF.

This is the first carrier out of the fifteen vessels ordered at Zvezda. Russia’s largest shipping firm Sovcomflot ordered this vessel directly at the compatriot yard.

To remind, the trio finalized the construction and charter deals for the other 14 vessels with Zvezda in September this year.

Additionally, Arctic LNG 2 entered the deal for the vessels with SMART LNG, a venture consisting of Novatek and Sovcomflot.

Each vessel will have capacity of more than 172,000 cubic metres. They will be 300 metres long and over 48 metres wide.

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

Furthermore, it will also provide an important stimulus to develop the Russian shipbuilding industry.

Arctic LNG 2 is located on the Gydan peninsula and includes the construction of three LNG trains with a capacity of 6.6 mtpa, each.

The project utilizes a new concept using gravity-based structure platforms to reduce overall capital cost and minimize environmental footprint in the Russian Arctic.

Novatek expects to launch the first LNG train in 2023, with trains 2 and 3 to follow in 2024 and 2026, respectively.

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

Most Popular

Shell’s LNG Canada achieves first LNG

LNG giant Shell has started production at the first liquefaction train at its LNG Canada export terminal in Kitimat, an LNG Canada spokesperson told LNG Prime on Sunday.

Golar progresses FLNG growth plans

Golar LNG said it had signed a final engineering study to confirm EPC price and delivery for a 5 mtpa MKIII FLNG.

Freeport seeks more time to build fourth LNG train

Freeport LNG has requested additional time from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct and place in service the planned fourth liquefaction train at its export plant in Texas.

More News Like This

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.

Russian LNG production drops in April

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

Russian LNG production down in Q1

Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) production decreased in the first quarter of this year, according to the Russian statistics agency Rosstat.