Russia builds its first LNG tanker of the ice class and plans to build two more by 2026

Interfax, citing the CEO of the company, reported that 'Russia's leading tanker group Sovcomflot' received its first Russian-built Ice-class tanker built for liquefied gas from Zvezda Shipyard. It plans to order two more in the next year.

Due to Ukraine-related sanction, Russia has difficulty in securing gas carriers. This is especially true for vessels that can?cut through thick Arctic ice?and serve LNG projects.

Zvezda is Russia's most advanced shipbuilding facility. It specializes in building large?Arc7 tankers capable of breaking through up to 2 meter thick ice. These vessels were designed to transport LNG for Arctic projects. This ensures year-round delivery in harsh conditions.

The new tanker named Alexey Kosygin after the Soviet statesman is expected to join the fleet for the Arctic LNG 2 plant sanctioned by United States.

Novatek, a Russian energy company that owns 60% Arctic LNG 2, said 15 Arc7 ice class tankers would be built at Zvezda shipyard. Novatek has ordered a total of?21 tankers.

Ice-class tanks are usually equipped with double hulls, which are reinforced structures that can withstand the pressure from ice. They also have reinforced propellers. (Reporting and writing by Anastasia Teterevleva, editing by Vladimir Soldatkin/Guy Faulconbridge).

(source: Reuters)