MOL Confirms Order for Icebreaking LNG Carriers to Ply Arctic Shipping Route

MOL and China Shipping (Group) Company confirmed today an order for three icebreaking-capable LNG carriers from Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) destined for use to ship LNG from the Yamal peninsula in Russia.

Beginning in 2018, the new tankers will be used deliver LNG to Europe and Asia via the Arctic Ocean from the Yamal Peninsula in northern Russia by Russia‘s second-largest gas producer Novatek, France‘s Total and China National Petroleum Corporation, according to Reuters. The icebreaker tankers are expected to deliver LNG to Europe via the route all year while they will likely transport the gas to Asia only between July and November, an MOL spokesman said.

MOL notes these 299 meter, 172,000 cbm capacity ships will have independent ice-breaking capabilities that will enable them to sail through ice  2.1 meters thick.  While in icebreaking mode, the ship will operate in reverse while being pulled along via three pod-type propulsors.

Six additional newbuilds will also been ordered according to a report by Bloomberg, however the owners have not been identified.

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