Sovcomflot adds dual-fuel LNG-powered tanker to its fleet

Russian shipping company Sovcomflot took delivery of a dual-fuel LNG-powered Aframax tanker from shipbuilding company SSK Zvezda last week.

PHOTO: LNG-fuelled tankers at the Zvezda shipyard. Sovcomflot

The 112,650-dwt tanker, Okeansky Prospect, is the first of a pair of Aframax tankers ordered by Sovcomflot from SSK Zvezda. The vessel is funded by the Russian investment company VEB.RF.

Both tankers, which are part of Sovcomflot’s new fleet of dual-fuel LNG-powered tankers, will be chartered by Russian oil company Rosneft to deliver cargo.

SSK Zvezda has been commissioned to build a total of 20 vessels comprising tankers and gas carriers for Sovcomflot.

VEB.RF’s deputy chairman Daniil Algulyan believes the move to be “another step towards the introduction of LNG fuel as the main fuel for large-capacity tankers” and “a responsible approach to the environment.”

Sovcomflot believes that LNG as a fuel can “significantly reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions into the atmosphere, as well as reduce emissions of fine particles (soot) and sulfur oxides to zero.”

LNG has been gaining attention as the preferred near-term alternative fuel of choice among shipowners to reduce emissions.

This month, New York-listed owner and operator of LNG carriers Dynagas LNG Partners entered into a charter agreement for its LNG carrier Arctic Aurora with Norwegian energy company Equinor.

By Tuhin Roy

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