Arctic carrier Vladimir Rusanov loads its first Yamal LNG cargo

The ice-breaking LNG carrier Vladimir Rusanov, jointly owned by MOL and China COSCO Shipping, loaded its first Yamal LNG cargo from March 27 to March 28.

MOL said on Thursday the vessel is the first of three for the MOL and China COSCO Shipping’s fleets and will sail under a long-term charted deal to transport LNG for the Yamal LNG project.

The vessel left the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) Okpo yard after the naming ceremony on Dec 21, 2017, and headed to the Arctic Ocean through the Suez Canal for Ice trials.

The ice trials for the vessel capable of transporting 172,000 cubic meters of LNG, took place over three weeks after which the vessel was handed over to the Yamal LNG project.

Constructions of the second and the third vessels for MOL and China COSCO Shipping at the Okpo yard of DSME have been progressing as originally planned, MOL said.

Both are scheduled for delivery to the Yamal LNG project after completion of their construction at the end of September 2018 and September 2019, respectively.