A new Arc7 class ice-breaking LNG tanker, Nikolay Urvantsev, is undergoing sea trials to join a fleet servicing Novatek’s Yamal plant, says an article published in Reuters.
Nikolay Urvantsev
The new Arc7 class Nikolay Urvantsev ice-breaking LNG tanker, is on sea trials to join Yamal fleet.
Refinitiv data shows that it is becoming the 13th vessel to join a fleet servicing Novatek’s Yamal plant.
The vessel, formerly known as DMSE 2432, owned by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) was built at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) Okpo shipyard in South Korea. The ship is currently stationed at the Korea Strait.
Another Arc7 tanker, Vladimir Voronin, is also undergoing sea trials.
Other vessels
The Nikolay Yevgenov which underwent sea trials in April, delivered its first cargo last week.
The Yakov Gakkel, which had been due to begin operation next year, is in wet dock at Okpo, indicating that it will begin sea trials soon.
Yamal LNG production facility
The tankers are part of a 15-strong fleet ordered by LNG tanker companies for the Yamal LNG production facility.
The facility began operations in December 2017 and has contributed to a boom in LNG supplies over the past 18 months.
Yamal depends on ice-breakers
Yamal is dependent on the ice-breaker tankers to ship LNG out of the Arctic waters. Novatek had asked DSME to fasten the construction and delivery of the tankers after production at the LNG plant ramped up faster than expected.
The tankers have largely conducted ship-to-ship LNG transfers to conventional carriers, but during the summer months they can traverse the Northern Sea Route eastwards to China.
Christophe De Margerie
All but one of the tankers are named after Russian Arctic explorers and scientists.
The first Arc7 tanker, Christophe De Margerie, is named after the former chief of Yamal’s partner, Total, who died in an air crash in Russia in 2014.
Vessel Status Operator
Chris. de Margerie In operation Sovcomflot
Boris Vilkitsky In operation Dynagas
Vladimir Rusanov In operation MOL
Fedor Litke In operation Dynagas
Eduard Toll In operation Teekay
Rudolf Samoylovich In operation Teekay
Vladimir Vize In operation MOL
Georgiy Brusilov In operation Dynagas
Boris Davydov (DSME 2428) In operation Dynagas
Nikolay Zubkov (DSME 2429) In operation Dynagas
Nikolay Yevgenov (DSME 2430) In operation Teekay
Vladimir Voronin (DSME 2431) Sea trials Teekay
Nikolay Urvantsev(DSME 2432) Sea trials MOL
Georgiy Ushakov (DSME 2433) Due Jan 29, 2020 Teekay
Yakov Gakkel (DSME 2434) Wet dock Teekay
