Christophe de Margerie to Load 1st Yamal LNG Cargo This Week

The first liquefied natural gas cargo from Russia’s Yamal LNG terminal is scheduled to be loaded utilizing the Arc7 ice-class LNG tanker Christophe de Margerie on December 8, 2017.

The cargo loading would be undertaken at the Sabetta port only days after the project started producing LNG at the first LNG train with the nameplate capacity of 5.5 million tons per annum, Russian natural gas producer Novatek informed.

“This event marks a milestone accomplishment for the Yamal LNG project. The commencement of LNG production begins a new chapter in our corporate history,” Leonid Mikhelson, Chairman of Novatek’s Management Board, said.

Christophe de Margerie, the world’s first ice-breaking LNG tanker, docked at the Yamal LNG terminal on March 30 after completing its ice trials.

With a capacity of 173,600 cbm, the vessel was designed specifically to serve the country’s Yamal LNG project and transport LNG in the Ob Bay and Kara Sea. Capable of sailing through ice up to 2.1 meter thick, the 299-meter-long vessel was delivered by South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) to its owner, the Russian shipping company Sovcomflot, earlier in March.

“Many contractors and suppliers from Russia and abroad were involved in this project. We have received great support from the Russian government in implementing this project. We are grateful to all our partners, contractors and shareholders for the joint work on the way to the successful start of this project on time and on budget according to our FID schedule,” Mikhelson concluded.