Zvezda lays keel for first Russian-built Arc7 LNG carrier

Each LNG carrier will be 300 metres long, 48.8 metres wide, and will have a cargo capacity of 172,600 m3. The propulsion system includes three azimuth propulsion units, with a total power capacity of 45 MW. The Arc7 class LNG carriers have been designed to transport LNG in the challenging conditions along the Northern Sea Route, including its eastern sector. Importantly, these vessels will have increased icebreaking capabilities and manoeuvrability in the ice, when compared to the first generation of icebreaking LNG carriers (Christophe de Margerie series).

The vessel, along with the other 14 vessels in the series, will be operated under a long-term time charter agreement with Arctic LNG2. Their construction is being financed by VEB.RF. All 15 vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2023-2025.

All 15 carriers will operate under the Russian flag, meanwhile the shipbuilding process is being supervised by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) and Bureau Veritas (BV).

Currently, SCF has 20 large-capacity tankers ordered from Zvezda, with a total deadweight of 1.86 million tonnes and a total cost of over USD 5 billion. These include 15 icebreaking LNG carriers and five LNG-fuelled tankers of various sizes, for transporting crude oil and petroleum products.

The localisation of advanced civil shipbuilding technologies within Russia has resulted from mutually beneficial cooperation between SCF and Russian energy companies, which allows for the scaling up SCF’s competencies in adopting innovative solutions.