Sovcomflot has taken delivery of the first ever LNG tanker built in Russia. According to the company, the new generation Arc7 gas carrier "Aleksey Kosygin" was built at the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex in the Russian Far East under the supervision of the Russian Register of Shipping. This is one of the most important signs of the Russian shipyard sector's domestic production capability in the sanctions era.
The vessel's name is a tribute to the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR who approved of establishing a company using bareboat chartered vessels back in 1973. With that approval, the foundation was laid for a shipping company that later transformed into Sovcomflot. The name reflects respect for the company's historical roots.
The new gas carrier can operate in harsh Arctic conditions irrespective of ice thickness. Its design meets environmental specifications, allowing the tanker to operate through much of the year along the Northern Sea Route. The ship will carry liquefied natural gas produced under the Arctic LNG 2 project to Asian markets. Sovcomflot is Russia's leading tanker operator and is developing alternative domestic solutions to the international supply chains restricted by sanctions. The Zvezda Shipyard was established via Hyundai Heavy Industries technology transfer and is undertaking new-generation mega-projects in Russian shipbuilding.
Key Takeaways:
1. Sovcomflot took delivery of the first ever LNG tanker built in Russia.
2. The new generation Arc7 gas carrier "Aleksey Kosygin" was built at Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex.
3. Construction was carried out under the supervision of the Russian Register of Shipping.
4. The ship is named after the USSR Chairman who approved founding Sovcomflot in 1973.
5. The vessel can operate in harsh Arctic conditions regardless of ice thickness.
