Novatek, Rosatom Team Up on LNG-Fueled Icebreakers

Russia’s natural gas producer Novatek and compatriot nuclear energy firm Rosatom have signed an agreement to join forces on an LNG-fueled icebreaker fleet.

The parties plan to establish a long-term partnership to jointly develop, finance and implement a project to create a LNG-fueled icebreaker fleet.

The units would support Novatek’s Arctic projects in frozen areas along the Northern Sea Route. The agreement also includes building port fleet and supply vessels.

“We already have successful experience of working with Rosatom providing ice-breaker support for the LNG carriers of our Yamal LNG project,” Leonid Mikhelson, Novatek’s Chairman of the Management Board, said.

“This agreement will facilitate the further development of an icebreaking fleet and support the growth of cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route that is very important for our company and for Russia’s economy as a whole,” Mikhelson concluded.