On 30th
October, 2018 at 23:59 Moscow time, ‘Lomonosov Prospect’, Sovcomflot's
(SCF) Aframax using LNG fuel as its primary fuel, successfully completed
a commercial voyage along the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
She delivered a petroleum product cargo loaded in South Korea and destined for Northern Europe.
The high-latitude voyage from Cape Dezhnev at Chukotka to Cape
Zhelaniya of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago took the Arc4 vessel 7.8 days
to complete, during which the tanker covered a distance of 2,194
nautical miles.
During the voyage, the crew successfully tested the ship’s engines and
the fuel control systems using LNG, as well as the operation of
navigation equipment and machinery in ice conditions and sub-zero
temperatures.
The successful voyage has confirmed the vessel’s high manoeuvrability
and icebreaking capabilities, as well as being a highly safe,
environmentally friendly and efficient vessel, SCF claimed.
The tanker sailed along almost the entire NSR without icebreaker
escort, having covered some 950 nautical miles in ice conditions. She
was escorted by Atomflot's nuclear-powered icebreaker ‘Taimyr’
only when traversing the most navigationally and hydrographically
challenging area of the Ayon ice massif in the East Siberian Sea.
The tanker’s Master was Dmitry Belozerov, who has extensive
high-latitude navigation experience. In 2010, Capt Belozerov served as
Chief Officer on SCF's Aframax ‘SCF Baltica’ – the first large-capacity vessel to complete an NSR transit.
The results obtained during this experimental voyage provided the
foundation for developing marine transportation solutions for major
industrial projects in the Arctic, such as Yamal LNG and Novy Port.
During the latest voyage, the crew was aided by a second Master/ice advisor.
‘Lomonosov Prospect’ is the second of six Aframaxes designed to operate on LNG as the primary fuel. She was delivered to SCF last month.
In September, 2018, SCFplaced with Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex orders
for a series of two similar LNG-fuelled Aframaxes, both of which will be
timechartered to Rosneft for 20 years each, following their deliveries.
In addition SCFwill provide technical supervision during the
construction of the five similar LNG-fuelled Aframaxes for Rosneft, also
ordered at Zvezda Shipbuilding Complex.
Upon the delivery of these vessels, SCF will provide a range of
services to ensure the effective and safe management of these vessels,
including the recruitment of high-skilled crews and their management.
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