Novatek's Arc7 ice-class tankers loaded with LNG produced by Yamal LNG project in Russia launched this year’s summer navigational period on the Northern Sea Route along the Russian Arctic coast, Novatek said in a statement on Friday.
The tankers, Vladimir Rusanov and Eduard Toll, made the first voyages with Russian LNG via the Northern Sea Route without the escort of icebreakers.
According to the statement, their voyages mark the start of regular LNG shipments via the Northern Sea Route, which was only made possible due to the unique characteristics of the ice-class LNG carriers developed for Novatek to serve Arctic projects.
The Vladimir Rusanov vessel passed through the Northern Sea Route and arrived at the Bering Strait, while the Eduard Toll entered open water in the Chukchi Sea.
Both tankers are now heading towards the Chinese port of Jiangsu Rudong.
"The tankers passed through the ice-covered section along the route in only nine days with no ice-breaking support, confirming the"outstanding ice-breaking capabilities of the Arc7 ice-class vessels," Novatek’s Chairman of Management Board Leonid Mikhelson said.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr