The first Russian-built ice-class liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has entered sea trials as part of Russia’s efforts to raise global LNG market share despite U.S. sanctions.
The tanker, named Alexey Kosygin was built at the Zvezda shipyard and is due to join the fleet of vessels for Russia’s new Arctic LNG 2 plant, which has been delayed because of the U.S. sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine.
Furthermore, the U.S. Treasury has placed sanctions on the new vessel. Reuters reports that the vessel is anchored near the Pacific port of Vladivostok. Novatek, which owns 60% of Arctic LNG 2, has said 15 Arc7 ice-class tankers that are able to cut through two metre (6.5 ft) thick ice to transport LNG from Arctic projects, will be built at Zvezda shipyard.