Yamal LNG Increases Asia-Pacific Shipments Via NSR
Russia’s largest independent natural gas producer Novatek (NVTK.ME) said that its operated Yamal LNG project has shipped 15 cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Asia-Pacific markets directly via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) during 3Q19.
The eastbound shipments represented about 25% of all LNG dispatched from Yamal LNG during the quarter. Planned 2019 volumes of LNG delivered eastbound to the Asian Pacific markets via the NSR will be increased by more than 4 times compared to last year.
A current fleet of 13 Arc7 ice-class tankers along with lower ice-class designated tankers to transport LNG cargos support the Yamal LNG project.
The full compliment of 15 Arc7 ice-class tankers are expected to be in operation by end of 2019, which will increase the number of direct LNG deliveries eastbound via the NSR.
“The increase of LNG delivered eastbound via the NSR confirms the commercial priority of the Asia-Pacific region as a strategic direction for future deliveries of Novatek’s LNG,” noted Lev Feodosyev, Novatek’s First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board.
“Developing further the navigational efficiency via the NSR combined with the construction of LNG transshipment complexes in Kamchatka and Murmansk will optimize the Company's logistics chain,” Feodosyev added.
