On November 16, 2006 the Sovcomflot Board of Directors considered the results of the performance of the company and its subsidiaries for the 9-month period of 2006 and forecast for 2006 results. According to the company’s press center, Sovcomflot IFRS net profit amounted to $124.2 million (+40% against $88.6 million in January-September 2005) Income from fleet operation totaled $380.4 million (against $298.2 million in the similar period of the previous year). Upgraded forecast for 2006 says sales volume of Sovcomflot may become the group’s record amounting to almost $500 million.
Sergei Frank, Sovcomflot Director General, reported that in the first half of November the company accepted for operation two LNG tankers - SCF Arctic and SCF Pоlar (with capacity exceeding 70 thou m33 each). Igor Shuvalov, Chairman of the Board of Directors, says that independent operation of LNG and LPG tankers as well as acknowlegment of Sovcomflot/Unicom as LNG technical manager by leading market operators - BG Group (Great Britain), Stream Repsol - Gas Natural LNG (Spain), Gaz de France (France) is a sign of a breakthrough in Russian shipping industry. “Technology of LNG sea transportation is to become very important for Russian energy market soon, while our national shipping company has already got the possibility of independent qualification in any international tender for LNG transportation,” Shuvalov says. Sovcomflot Director General, reported that in the first half of November the company accepted for operation two LNG tankers - SCF Arctic and SCF Pоlar (with capacity exceeding 70 thou m3 each), provided qualified personnel for them and arranged technical management of the vessels. At the end of the year the company’s fleet will accept two LPG tankers – SCF Tomolsk and SCF Tomsk (with capacity of 35 thou m3 each). Igor Shuvalov, Chairman of the Board of Directors, says that independent operation of LNG and LPG tankers as well as acknowlegment of Sovcomflot/Unicom as LNG technical manager by leading market operators - BG Group (Great Britain), Stream Repsol - Gas Natural LNG (Spain), Gaz de France (France) is a sign of a breakthrough in Russian shipping industry. “Technology of LNG sea transportation is to become very important for Russian energy market soon, while our national shipping company has already got the possibility of independent qualification in any international tender for LNG transportation,” Shuvalov says.