Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex has started steel cutting for the ARC 7 Ice class LNG Carrier. The construction of the Vessel, the fifth in a series of 15 LNG Carriers ordered to the shipyard within the framework of the “Arctic LNG-2” liquefied natural gas production project implementation, starts with the solemn ceremony of the first steel cutting. The main project sponsor and charterer of the cargo is Novatek company. The Contract for the Vessel construction was concluded between SSK Zvezda and companies of VEB.RF group in December 2019. The delivery of the Vessel to the customer is scheduled for the end of 2023.

SSK Zvezda is the first Russian shipyard implementing a project for the construction of such vessels. Ice class LNG Carriers are designed to transport LNG and are capable of operating in arctic conditions due to the Arc7 strengthened ice class and icebreaking capability up to 2.1 meters. These are Vessels of significant weight and dimensions: the length of the Vessel is 300 m, beam moulded is 48.8 m, deadweight is 81,000 tons. The Vessel propulsion system capacity is 45 MW.

A distinctive feature of LNG Carriers is the availability of Mark III membrane-type LNG storage system, which license for construction was obtained by the shipyard for the first time in the country, having successfully passed the audit of Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) - French engineering company specializing in the development and licensing of the construction of cryogenic membrane containment systems dedicated to the transport and storage of liquefied gas.

In addition, the Vessel will be equipped with three unique PODs, the production of which is situated on SSK Zvezda territory at VRK Sapphire Plant - a joint venture of NK Rosneft and General Electric.