First LNGC transit through the Northern Sea Route
August 16, 2017
The Sovcomflot’s vessel loaded a cargo at Snøhvit, left the liquefaction plant on July 29 and arrived at Boryeong on August 16, according to vessel tracking data. The passage through the Northern Sea Route took a record six and a half days, according to the Northern Sea Route Administration. Christophe de Margerie is the first unescorted merchant LNG vessel to take this route, which permits reaching Asia via the Bering Strait in 15 days versus 30 days via the Suez Canal, according to Total.
The 172,600m³ Arc 7 vessel is the first of 15 LNGCs dedicated to the Yamal LNG project. The 3-train plant will produce about 16.5 MTPA. Commissioning cargoes from Train 1 are expected in October and commercial production will start next year.
