Sovcomflot, USC and Gazprom sign agreements on reservation of construction slots for "Gaz Ice" carrier series and promotion of Russian involvement in LNG shipbuilding (photo)
Today at Saint-Petersburg International Economic Forum Russia’s largest shipping company OAO Sovcomflot has signed an agreement with OAO United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) on the reservation of construction slots for the placement of orders to build further gas carriers of the Velikiy Novgorod series, says SCF press release. Along with the agreement on the reservation of construction slots, OAO Sovcomflot concluded a memorandum of understanding with Gazprom Marketing and Trading, which provides for a construction order for up to 13 gas carriers from the enhanced «Gaz Ice» series under a future GM&T charter.
This series, consisting of two state-of-the-art gas carriers (Velikiy Novgorod and Pskov), was ordered by Sovcomflot in 2011 for operations under a contract with Gazprom Group. These Ice2 Atlanticmax class vessels have a cargo capacity of 170,000m³ and a diesel-electric propulsion system. They have improved technical characteristics and are capable of transporting liquefied natural gas from all existing LNG terminals, including Russia’s first LNG project – Sakhalin-II.
At present, the vessels in the Velikiy Novgorod series have the optimal specifications for ships of their type. The design of these gas carriers will now be developed further with the expansion of the series.
The vessels in the series have a range of competitive advantages and will be constructed at OAO USC facilities and those of another partner shipyard.
While retaining their cargo capacity of 170,000m³, the gas carriers will be fitted with a new ME-GI slow-speed dual-fuel diesel engine with direct drive, replacing the diesel-electric propulsion system.
This engine’s performance parameters will make it possible for the new vessels to work in any climatic or ice conditions. At the same time, improved propulsion system characteristics and an optimised hull shape will allow the ships to operate in open water with the same fuel consumption as non-ice-class vessels.
In contrast to the first series of vessels, the new gas carriers in the “Gaz Ice” series will have a higher ice class – Arc 4 (as classified by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping). This will allow them to transport LNG via the Northern Sea Route during the summer period. The new vessels will also offer better efficiency than other similar gas carriers as they will be fitted with a cargo containment system that reduces levels of gas lost through evaporation to no more than 0.1% per day.
The agreement signed in Saint-Petersburg provides for the phased localisation of production at OAO USC facilities and the start of LNG carrier construction at Russian shipbuilding enterprises by 2018. Russia’s first gas carrier to be manufactured on home soil is expected to be built as early as 2020. These new vessels will transport fuel from existing (and future) Russian LNG terminals in the Far East and the Arctic.
Elaborating the design for the new vessels brought together specialists from Gazprom Marketing and Trading (GM&T), OAO Sovcomflot, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, and OAO USC.
Sovcomflot Group (SCF) is Russia’s largest shipping company, is a world leader in the maritime transportation of hydrocarbons and provides support for shelf exploration and oil & gas production. The SCF fleet (owned and chartered) includes 161 vessels with a combined deadweight of over 12 million tonnes. It specialises in the transportation of hydrocarbons from areas with challenging icy conditions and a third of the fleet’s vessels have a high ice class. Sovcomflot supports large-scale offshore energy projects in Russia and the rest of the world, including: Sakhalin-I, Sakhalin-II, Varandey, Tangguh, Escobar, and Peregrino. The company is registered in Saint-Petersburg and has representative offices in Moscow, Novorossiysk, Murmansk, Vladivostok, London, Limassol, Madrid, Singapore and Dubai.
OAO United Shipbuilding Corporation – the largest shipbuilding company in Russia. Founded on the Degree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 394 of 21 March, 2007 with 100% of company stock owned by the state. OSK includes nearly 60 enterprises and industry organisations (the main shipbuilding and ship-repair yards, planning and design offices). Currently, OSK’s consolidates approximately 80% of Russia’s domestic shipbuilding industry. The state enterprise is primarily focused on the Russian market and exports to 20 countries worldwide.
Gazprom Marketing and Trading (GM&T) is a subsidiary of OAO Gazprom with a diverse range of commercial activities and a global portfolio, including in Asia where the Gazprom Marketing & Trading Singapore Pte Limited branch is located. The company is one of the most active traders and charterers of LNG in the region. GM&T has its headquarters in London and its business strategy focuses on increasing its order portfolio for LNG shipping in the medium- and long-term, entry to new markets (including those inaccessible to gas pipeline systems), the introduction of new products & services, and the establishment of new partnerships with clients and suppliers.