Gazprom pioneers LNG cargo transportation to Asia via Arctic route
The Ob River liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier chartered by Gazprom Group successfully completed today the world's first LNG supply via the Northern Sea Route (NSR), the Company said in a photo release.
The tanker departed the Port of Hammerfest (Norway) on November, 7 and arrived at the regasification terminal in the Port of Tobata (Japan) delivering a Gazprom Group-owned LNG cargo to Japanese consumers.
During her voyage (9-18 November) the Ob River was escorted by Atomflot-owned nuclear-powered icebreakers “50 Years of Victory”, “Russia” and “Vaygach.”.
This time the LNG carrier was weighted – after the no-load trip from Japan to Europe made earlier in October this year. Two return passages of the Ob River LNG carrier via the NSR confirmed technical and economic feasibility of the NSR for international LNG shipments. High-class icebreaker support and vessels escort, reducing time for delivering cargos, fuel saving, reducing losses from LNG evaporation, increasing volumes of delivered gas, reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating risks of pirates attack during the voyage – these all together may be considered as an attractive and reliable solution for the LNG interregional trade, bearing in mind implementation of Russian gas liquefaction projects in the Arctic region.
The successful voyage of the Ob River LNG carrier can make it possible to supply Russian LNG to Asia-Pacific and the European market via the Northern Sea Route, Gazprom said.