First Russian Ice-Class LNG Carrier Starts Sea Trials Amid Sanctions

The first Russian-built ice-class liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, named Alexey Kosygin, has begun sea trials, according to LSEG data. This development is part of Russia’s efforts to increase its global LNG market share, despite facing sanctions from the United States. The tanker was constructed at the Zvezda shipyard and is intended to join the fleet of vessels for Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 plant, which has experienced delays due to the sanctions imposed over the conflict in Ukraine.

The U.S. Treasury has also placed sanctions on the new vessel, which was ordered by Russia’s leading tanker group Sovcomflot and built at Zvezda, the country’s most advanced shipbuilding yard. Currently, the tanker is anchored near the Pacific port of Vladivostok, as per LSEG ship-tracking data. Sovcomflot has not responded to requests for comment on the matter. Novatek, the majority owner of Arctic LNG 2, has announced plans to construct 15 Arc7 ice-class tankers at Zvezda shipyard to transport LNG from Arctic projects.

Despite plans for additional tankers, only three suitable gas tankers have been built for Arctic LNG 2 so far: Alexey Kosygin, Pyotr Stolypin, and Sergei Witte. Six more Arc7 tankers were scheduled to be constructed by Hanwha Ocean, but three of them, ordered by Sovcomflot, were cancelled due to the sanctions against Russia, as reported in last year’s regulatory filings by Hanwha. Ice-class tankers, equipped with double hulls and reinforced propellers to withstand icy conditions, play a crucial role in transporting LNG from the Arctic region.

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