Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) has signed an agreement with the South Korean yard Samsung Heavy Industries on design approval and survey under construction of a new series of 42 000 dwt Arctic shuttle oil carriers.
The new tankers are designed to complete a set of tasks of hydrocarbons transportation from Novoportovskoye field, which is situated in the north of Yamal peninsula, 30 km off the Gulf of Ob coast. The propulsion unit with two Azipod azimuth thrusters and a special hull shape will enable the ships to operate year-round in harsh Arctic conditions.
The series, comprising six ships will be constructed to dual RS / LR class. The construction is scheduled to start in April 2015, and the final ship in the series is set to be completed by the end of 2017.