Sovcomflot inks Arctic shuttle tanker pair

Sovcomflot, Russia’s largest state-owned shipping company, and Admiralteyskiye Verfi (Admiralty Shipyards), the St. Petersburg-based shipyard, have concluded and signed a $350 million deal for the construction of two arctic shuttle oil tankers, hulls Nos.02750 and 02751. This is the biggest order in the history of Russian civil shipbuilding to date.

Designed to ship oil from Prirazlomnoye offshore field (ZAO “Sevmorneftegaz” is the operator of the Project) starting from 2008, the 70,000 dwt vessels will have enhanced ice class. They will be built in compliance with the rules of dual classification under the Register of Shipping of Russia and Lloyd?s Register and will be assigned LU 6 ice class (1A Super in accordance with international classification). The tankers will be able to operate in 1.2 metre thick ice without the need for an icebreaker.

Each will be equipped with two Azipod propulsion systems, a dynamic positioning system, a helipad and an Arctic bow loading system. The tankers will be 257 metres long, 34 metres wide and have a draught of about 14 metres. A diesel-electric propulsion installation, comprising two main engines, will deliver the total 17 MW power. Similar to the double acting tanker (DAT) principle, they will travel stern first in ice covered waters and bow first in open seas.

Work on the first tanker is expected to begin in December with a projected launch date of August 2008. The second tanker is due to be launched in May 2009.