The sanctioned Russian state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot has received its first domestically built ice-class LNG carrier, the Alexey Kosygin. This 172,600-cbm vessel, delivered by the Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex, is intended for exporting gas from the Arctic LNG 2 project. Two additional ships of this type are scheduled to enter service next year.

Project Delays and Sanctions Context

The delivery of the Alexey Kosygin is much-delayed, as it was originally due in 2024. The vessel, which completed sea trials in the summer, is already on the US sanctions list. International sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine have created a shortage of ice-capable gas carriers, hampering Arctic LNG 2's exports since its first stage began operations at the end of 2023. Novatek, the project's operator, has stated that a total of 15 Arc7 ice-class tankers will eventually be built at the Zvezda yard.

Recent Zvezda Deliveries and Construction Model

Earlier this year, Zvezda delivered its first ice-class shuttle tanker, the Arc6 Valentin Pikul, to Rosnefteflot after a nearly seven-year construction period. This tanker, also sanctioned by the US, is expected to operate from the Varandey offshore oil terminal. Both the Valentin Pikul and the new Arc7 LNG carriers follow a similar construction model: they were designed by Samsung Heavy Industries, with their hulls floated over to the Zvezda yard for completion of the construction work.