Dynagas LNG Partners, a limited partnership formed by the Greek shipowner Dynagas said Tuesday that the ice-class tanker Yenisei River has started its charter contract with the Novatek-operated Yamal LNG project in Russia.
The vessel commenced operation under the agreement 180 days earlier, with the two parties extending the firm charter period to 15 years and 180 days, as a result.
Dynagas LNG Partners said in its statement that Yenisei River was delivered to Yamal LNG on August 14, 2018, following the completion of its mandatory five-year special survey and dry-docking in Singapore.
Commenting on the extension of the agreement, partnership’s CEO Tony Lauritzen said the company has been focusing on securing long-term employment and filling short and medium-term availability gaps in its fleet.
“Now that Yenisei River has commenced employment with Yamal LNG early and the Lena River has been contracted for employment by a major energy company, following its redelivery from Gazprom and prior to commencing its long-term charter with Yamal LNG, our first potential vessel available for employment will be the Arctic Aurora in 2021. Thereafter, our next vessel available for employment is the Clean Energy in 2026,” he said.
At the beginning of August, Novatek-operated Yamal LNG project shipped its first cargo of liquefied natural gas from the second production unit six months ahead of its original schedule.