- Arc7-classed tankers ordered for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) production plant Yamal LNG in Russia’s Arctic north are undergoing sea trials.
- The tankers are part of a 15-strong fleet ordered by LNG companies for Yamal, which began operations in December 2017 and has contributed to a boom in LNG supplies.
- The tankers have largely conducted ship-to-ship transfers in Europe to conventional carriers for onwards delivery, but during summer months they can traverse the Northern Sea Route to Asia.
The last of 15 Arc7-classed tankers ordered for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) production
plant Yamal LNG in Russia’s Arctic north are undergoing sea trials around a South Korean shipyard (Refinitiv Eikon shippin), reports Reuters.
Tankers under sea trial
The Georgiy Ushakov and Yakov Gakkel LNG tankers are both in water at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) Okpo shipyard in South Korea and indicating they are performing sea trials.
The Vladimir Voronin, meanwhile, finished its sea trials and has left the Sea of Japan, setting Yamal LNG as its destination. It is appears to be taking the Northern Sea Route through the Bering Straits, turning west at the north-eastern tip of Russia.
Yamal LNG Arctic vessel
The tankers are part of a 15-strong fleet ordered by LNG companies for Yamal, which began operations in December 2017 and has contributed to a boom in LNG supplies in the past 18 months.
Yamal is dependent on the ice-breaker tankers to ship LNG out of the Arctic waters. The tankers have largely conducted ship-to-ship transfers in Europe to conventional carriers for onwards delivery, but during summer months they can traverse the Northern Sea Route to Asia.
Christophe De Margerie
Two such trips have been made this month. All but one of the tankers are named after Russian arctic explorers and scientists. The first Arc7 tanker, the Christophe De Margerie, is named after the former boss 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 In operation Dynagas
Nikolay Zubkov In operation Dynagas
Nikolay Yevgenov In operation Teekay
Vladimir Voronin En route Sabetta Teekay
Nikolay Urvantsev(DSME 2432) Sea trials MOL
Georgiy Ushakov (DSME 2433) Sea trials Teekay
Yakov Gakkel (DSME 2434) Sea trials Teekay
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Source: Reuters
