MOSCOW, April 6 (Reuters) - Russia's largest producer of liquefied natural gas Novatek has set up a company to build its own vessels and floating facilities, according to the state's registry of
Novatek Launches Severny Inzhiniring to Build LNG Vessels Amid Tanker Shortage
Novatek's Strategic Response to LNG Tanker Shortages
Establishment of Severny Inzhiniring
MOSCOW, April 6 (Reuters) - Russia's largest producer of liquefied natural gas Novatek has set up a company to build its own vessels and floating facilities, according to the state's registry of authorised companies, amid a shortage of gas tankers due to sanctions.
Ilya Lushchikov, who is also head of Novatek's Murmansk LNG project, is in charge of the new company, called Severny Inzhiniring, or Northern Engineering, which was set up on March 25, according to the registry.
Novatek did not reply to a request for comment.
Impact of Western Sanctions on LNG Transport
Western sanctions imposed in 2022 significantly limited the availability for Russia of ice-class tankers to transport LNG cargos.
Role of Zvezda Shipyard
Zvezda, Russia's most advanced shipbuilder, specializing in constructing large Arc7 ice-class tankers capable of breaking through ice up to two metres (6.6 feet) thick, has so far only delivered one Arc-7 class tanker for Novatek's Arctic LNG 2 plant.
Future Plans for Arctic LNG 2 Project
Novatek, which owns 60% of the Arctic LNG 2 project, has said 15 Arc7 ice-class tankers will be built eventually at the Zvezda shipyard.
(Reporting by Oksana Kobzeva; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Susan Fenton)
