A steel-cutting ceremony was held on September 29 for the lead gas tanker ordered by SCF Group for transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) under the Yamal LNG project. 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 and Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (South Korea) shipyard in the presence of representatives from OAO Sovcomflot, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS), the ship classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) and other guests.
OAO Sovcomflot provided JSC Yamal LNG with advisory services for gas tanker design and the minimization of costs for the project’s logistic support, based on the company’s long-term experience in the Arctic seas and with the operation of its own LNG carriers. Eventually, the partners developed a unique design for the new ship codenamed Yamalmax with unsurpassed performance features anywhere worldwide. With a freight capacity of 172,600 m3, length of 300 m and beam of 50 m, the tanker will be of Arc7 ice class (on RS classification) which will ensure icebreaking capability in a 2.1-metre thick ice field. The ship’s propulsion unit includes three azipods delivering a total power of 45 MW, which is comparable to a Rossija-class nuclear-powered icebreaker (55 MW). 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.
It is planned to use the Russian-flagged prototype vessel for training the crews of Arctic LNG tankers and practicing navigation in the severe ice conditions of high-latitude Arctic seas.
Dimensions and performance of Yamalmax LNG tanker:
Length, approx. (m) – 299.9
Beam, approx. (m) – 50
Deadweight, approx. (metric tons) – 85,000
Cargo capacity – 172,600 m3
Ice class – Arc 7
Maximum draft, approx. (m) – 11.7
Cruising speed (knots) – 19.5
