Russia’s Sovcomflot and Japan’s NYK confirmed that they have recently ordered four LNG carriers at Samsung Heavy Industries. These vessels will serve Novatek’s Arctic LNG projects.
South Korean shipbuilder SHI said last week it would build four LNG carriers with a total price tag of about $809.2 million for Asian owners.
Sources told LNG Prime then that Sovcomflot and NYK could be behind these orders for the vessels. The deal also includes two options.
Sovcomflot and NYK confirmed this development in separate statements on Monday.
The duo, through a 50/50 joint venture, signed long-term time-charter contracts with Novatek Gas and Power Asia, a unit of Novatek, via a video call on September 29 for the four 174,000-cbm LNG carriers, according to Sovcomflot.
The new LNG carriers will load cargoes produced in Novatek’s Arctic projects at two floating storage units (FSUs), which will be located near Murmansk in the west and Kamchatka at the eastern end of the Northern Sea Route.
After loading the shipments, the vessels will deliver LNG to final buyers in Europe and Asia, as well as for regular trade operations in the global market.
The 293 meters long ships will feature WinGD’s dual-fuel slow-speed diesel engines and GTT’s Mark III Flex cargo containment system. They will also have a reliquefaction unit.
SHI will deliver these vessels in 2023 and 2024.
