First new carrier for LNG project in Russia

Jointly ordered by MOL and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited (China COSCO Shipping), the LNG Dubhe will be built by MOL and is scheduled to go into transportation service for the Yamal LNG project, based on the Yamal Peninsula, above the Arctic Circle.

LNG Dubhe will initially be engaged in the transport of the project’s LNG from transshipment terminals in Europe or a location where Ship-to-ship transfer operations are carried out.

“MOL will help ensure a stable LNG supply for the Yamal LNG project by completing the construction of four LNG carriers as scheduled and subsequently serving safe LNG transportation,” said the company.

The ship was named in a ceremony at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. (Hudong) and will be ready at the shipyard for operations at the end of October.

Yamal LNG operations

Operated by JSC Yamal LNG, a joint-venture of NOVATEK (50.1%), TOTAL (20%), CNPC (20%) and Silk Road Fund (9.9%), the Yamal LNG Project utilises the resources of the South Tambey Field.

Construction of the Port of Sabetta was part of the project and include a cargo terminal, jetties for LNG and gas condensate offloading, ro-ro berths, material off-loading facilities, harbour fleet berths, warehousing facilities, administrative buildings and utilities.

The project to build the four carriers was announced at the end of June.

MOL also delivered three ice-breaking LNG carriers to the project between 2018 and 2019, which are currently engaged in LNG transportation in the Northern Sea Route.