Russian Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex has cut steel for the first LNG-powered MR type product tanker from a series of three vessels ordered by the compatriot shipping major Sovcomflot in 2019.
The steel cutting ceremony marks the beginning of the hull assembly of the ship.
The LNG-powered MRs will be used to transport oil products and gas condensate under a long-term charter to a unit of PAO Novatek.
The first of the three vessels is scheduled for delivery in 2022.
Vessel particulars:
The ships will be ice class 1B, which means that they will be capable of conducting year-round navigation, including in the ice conditions of the Baltic Sea.
Sovcomflot has been supporting the switch to LNG as a marine fuel as part of the industry’s decarbonization efforts for a while now, and the company already operates a series of Aframax-class tankers that run on LNG as fuel.
Five more of SCF’s “green” series vessels are slated to be built at Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex and put into operation from 2022 to 2023.
The Russian shipbuilding firm is being created on the basis of the Zvezda Far Eastern Shipyard by a consortium of Rosneftegaz, Rosneft and Gazprombank.
The complex is planned to be able to construct large capacity ships designated for servicing offshore mineral production projects, including in the Arctic, and also merchant ships that will transport cargo on national and international waterways.
Three months ago the company marked a major milestone with the first newbuilding being launched.
The shipyard’s portfolio of orders includes over 40 vessels, including options – 59 vessels. The pilot loading of the complex is provided by Rosneft, which has placed an order for 28 vessels at the shipyard.