GTT, Zvezda join forces to build Russian LNG carriers

French containment specialist GTT said Thursday it signed a deal with Russia’s Zvezda shipyard to partner up on the construction of LNG carriers.

The technical assistance and license deal will allow Zvezda to build ARC7 ice-breaking LNG carriers fitted with GTT’s containment system.

According to the French company, these vessels will transport LNG produced in Russia.

The Zvezda shipyard is a large shipbuilding complex located in the town of Bolshoy Kamen in the Russian Far East.

The yard is a run by a consortium consisting of Rosneftegaz, Rosneft, and Gazprombank.

It obtained its GTT license after a qualification process that started in September 2017, including the construction of a Mark III technology mock-up.

Zvezda plans to specialise in the construction of large-capacity vessels, ice-class ships, special vessels and marine equipment or offshore platforms.

Construction of LNG carriers is one of the priorities of the yard’s production program, GTT said.