The 1st Arc7 ice-class LNG tanker Christophe de Margerie has entered the Kara Sea and has started its 1st LNG cargo voyage through the Northern Sea Route (NSR), Novatek reported on August 1, 2017.
The subleased tanker will go through the NSR without the escort of icebreakers and will deliver LNG from Norway to South Korea in 15 days.
The utilization of the route from Europe to Eastern and South-Eastern Asia through the NSR halves the transportation time to market compared to the traditional route.
The start of LNG shipments through the NSR with the ARC7 ice-class tanker will help to increase cargo turnovers and develop navigation in Arctic Ocean.
Currently, the navigation routes for high-tonnage ships through the NSR have already being used and tested, providing security and efficiency of navigation.
Christophe de Margerie is the 1st out of 15 tankers, which are being specifically built for the Yamal LNG project.
Yamal LNG is constructing a 16.5 mmtpa natural gas liquefaction plant utilizing the hydrocarbon resources of the South-Tambeyskoye field.
First LNG production is scheduled for 2017.
Yamal LNG shareholders are NOVATEK (50.1%), Total (20%), CNPC (20%), and Silk Road Fund (9.9%).
To read the article in Russian.
