Sovcomflot, Rosneft Sign Deal for Five LNG-Fueled Tankers

Sovcomflot Russian state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot and its compatriot oil major Rosneft have signed an agreement for the construction of five liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled Aframax tankes. Under the deal, entered into on September 25, the tankers would be constructed at Russias Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex in cooperation with South Koreas Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). The 114,000 dwt tankers are scheduled to start joining the fleet in 2021. They will feature an ice class of 1A/1B to ensure safe year-round operations in areas with challenging ice conditions, including the Baltic Sea and subarctic seas. To be owned by Rosneft, the tankers will be operated by Sovcomflot. SCF would also supervise their construction and later provide a range of services to ensure the effective and safe management of these ships. LNG will be the primary fuel for the ships, reducing their environmental impact and ensuring compliance with incoming emissions legislation. As they were designed taking into account international restrictions on emissions of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and greenhouse gases, which will enter into force in 2020, the tankers will be primarily fueled by LNG, thereby cutting their environmental impact and emissions. World Maritime News Staff