Sovcomflot and Novatek seal order for 10 LNG carriers at Zvezda Shipyard

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Smart LNG, the shipping joint venture between Russian companies Sovcomflot (SCF) and Novatek, has signed contracts with Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex to construct ten icebreaking Arc7 LNG carriers.

The vessels are being financed by Russian state development corporation VEB. RF and being chartered by Smart LNG on long-term time charters to Arctic LNG 2, the operator of the Arctic LNG 2 project.

The new deal takes the total number of LNG carriers ordered by the Russian pair to 15 vessels. They will all operate under the Russian flag, and the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping is providing supervision during the construction of the vessels.

Igor Tonkovidov, president and CEO of SCF, commented: “We are pleased to see that this new generation of Arctic LNG carriers, which will contribute significantly to growing the cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route, was designed based on SCF’s long-standing experience of safely operating vessels in ice conditions. Equally significant is the fact that the cooperation between SCF, Novatek, VEB.RF Group and Russian shipbuilders paves the way for establishing the domestic production of LNG carriers, which entails adopting advanced technologies and engineering solutions.”

Original source: https://splash247.com/sovcomflot-and-novatek-seal-order-for-10-lng-carriers-at-zvezda-shipyard/

History:

Smart LNG finances four icebreaking LNG carriers for Arctic LNG 2 project

Russian Smart LNG, a joint venture of Sovcomflot and Novatek, has locked a lease from VEB.RF to provide finance for four icebreaking LNG carriers for the Arctic LNG 2 project.

ARCTIC | 12/02/20

Smart LNG also inked long-term charter agreements for these tankers with Arctic LNG 2, as Sovcomflot revealed in a statement. The vessels will be constructed at Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex in the Russian Far East.

It is reported that the design of the new icebreakers is drawn upon the experience of the currently operating Christophe de Margerie, the world’s first icebreaking LNG carrier, introduced in 2017. The example of Christophe de Margerie led to the integration of several advanced engineering solutions into the design. Thus, the new icebreakers will have improved icebreaking capabilities and maneuverability when sailing in the challenging weather conditions across both the Western and the Eastern sectors of the Russian Arctic.

Moreover, it is noted that the vessels will fly under the Russian Federation Flag, while the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) will provide technical supervision during the construction of the vessel series.

Sovcomflot and Novatek established SMART LNG in September 2019, to own and operate a fleet of LNG carriers serving the Arctic LNG 2 projects, as well as other current and prospective Novatek’s projects.

Original source: https://safety4sea.com/smart-lng-finances-four-icebreaking-lng-carriers-for-arctic-lng-2-project/