Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex has started building a third Arc7 LNG tankers for Novatek’s Arctic LNG 2 project. The project is financed by VEB.RF bank.
Zvezda has contracts with VEB.RF for 15 LNG carriers that will be deployed to transport liquefied natural gas along the Northern Sea Route under time charter agreements between Sovcomflot (for the first vessel) and Smart LNG, a JV between SCF and Novatek (for the remaining 14 units) and Arctic LNG 2, a subsidiary of Novatek.
The tankers powered by a 45 MWt propulsion system and equipped with three three rudder propellers will be capable of navigating in ice over 2 meters thick.
The gas tank system utilized in this project is Mark III membrane type, Zvezda being the first Russian yard to be certified to build such storage system.