A steel-cutting ceremony for the lead gas tanker ordered by SCF Group for transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) under the Yamal LNG project was held on 29 September. The prototype vessel will be operated under a long-term time charter between OAO Sovcomflot and JSC Yamal LNG. The steel-cutting ceremony, marking the formal start of a ship’s construction process, took place at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. (South Korea) shipyard.
OAO Sovcomflot provided JSC Yamal LNG with advisory services for gas tanker design and the minimisation of costs for the project’s logistic support. Eventually, the partners developed a unique design for the new ship codenamed ‘Yamalmax’ with notable performance features. With a freight capacity of 172,600m3, length of 300m and beam of 50m, the tanker will be of Arc7 ice class (on RS classification), which will ensure icebreaking capability in a 2.1m thick ice field. The ship’s propulsion unit includes three azipods delivering a total power of 45MW. Reinforced membrane-type tanks ensure safe LNG transportation along the Northern Sea Route, which has been confirmed by classification society surveys and test-bed trials held by GTT, the cargo system designer.
The Russian-flagged prototype vessel would be used for training the crews of Arctic LNG tankers and practicing navigation in the severe ice conditions of high-latitude Arctic seas.
